BIC NEW YORK — The Bahá’í International Community (BIC) has announced the appointment of Rachel Bayani as its new Principal Representative to the United Nations, following the retirement of Bani Dugal, who had served in this capacity since 2003.
With United Nations (UN) offices in New York and Geneva and regional offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, and Jakarta, the BIC represents the global Bahá’í community at the international level, contributing to prevalent discourses essential to the future and wellbeing of humanity.
These offices explore how Bahá’í principles, such as the oneness of humanity and the equality of women and men, apply to pressing societal challenges. The BIC’s approach is rooted in consultation, collaboration, and collective inquiry.
Most recently, Ms. Bayani served for over a decade as the representative of the BIC’s Brussels office. This office engages with the institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and civil society organizations, contributing to discourses on social cohesion, global governance, food systems, youth and the role of religion in society among others.
Prior to joining the Bahá’í International Community, Ms. Bayani served as a justice and home affairs counselor at the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the European Union. Her career has also included work in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN peace-keeping mission, as well as the European Union’s police mission.
Ms. Bayani holds a law degree from Sorbonne University in Paris and a master’s degree in international law from the University of Cambridge.
Ms. Dugal joined the Bahá’í International Community in 1994, initially serving as Alternate Representative to the UN, then Director of the Office for the Advancement of Women. In 2001, she became the interim Principal Representative and was appointed Principal Representative in 2003.
During Ms. Dugal’s tenure, the BIC contributed on the international stage to discourse on the advancement of women and girls, the well-being of children, peace and security, human rights, freedom of religion or belief, and the role of religion in society, among many other prevalent issues. Ms. Dugal has also served in senior roles within the UN NGO community, including as Co-Convenor of the NGO Working Group on Security Council, President of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women.
Ms. Dugal practiced law before the Supreme Court of India before relocating to the United States. She holds a law degree from the University of Delhi and a master’s degree in environmental law from Pace University School of Law in New York.
