IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
The current pandemic is disrupting CRVS systems all over the world, but also highlighting why well-functioning systems are more essential than ever. As a result, the UN Statistics Division, the World Health Organization and the UN Legal Identity Agenda Task Force developed COVID-19 resources offering guidance for civil registration stakeholders on maintaining CRVS activities.
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The Second Ministerial Conference on CRVS will be taking place from the 16th to 19th November, 2021. It will be the occasion to celebrate progress through the CRVS Decade (2015-2024), identify remaining challenges, emphasize CRVS for sustainable development and promote CRVS as the foundation for legal identity. Preparations to get as much valuable inputs for the conference has already started, for example through the children and youth consultation, have already started and updates will be published on this website regularly.
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ESCAP is collecting country midterm questionnaires to measure regional progress through the midpoint of the CRVS Decade (2015-2024). Responses will inform and guide preparations for the Second Ministerial Conference in November 2021.
What are the numbers so far?
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The CRVS community in Asia and the Pacific is now actively preparing for the celebration of the midpoint of the CRVS Decade (2015-2024), planned for 16 to 19 November 2021. In this effect, many of our partners and member countries are leading actions and publications to establish where the region stands and to fill the remaining gaps. To learn more about CRVS in Asia and the Pacific and keep updated on preparations for the Ministerial Conference, please subscribe to our newsletter, which offers a monthly panorama of CRVS actions throughout the region Previous editions can be found here. |
A well-functioning CRVS system helps to ensure that every person has a legal identity, facilitating access to the benefits and protections of the State. Despite national and universal efforts to “get every one in the picture”, disparities in coverage of hard-to-reach and marginalized populations remain.
Technological advances have increased the potential uses of population registers for producing statistics. At the same time, greater demand for timely and disaggregated data amplifies interest in population registers as a source of statistical data.
A well-functioning CRVS system helps to ensure that every person has a legal identity, facilitating access to the benefits and protections of the State. Despite national and universal efforts to “get every one in the picture”, disparities in coverage of hard-to-reach and marginalized populations remain.
The Solomon Islands is an archipelago of approximately 1,000 islands. With an estimated population of only 700,000, much of the country is remote and sparsely populated, with travel occurring largely by boat and air. Out of an estimated 3500-4000 annual deaths, nearly 75% occur in the community and therefore do not receive a medical certification of cause of death (MCCOD).
Across the globe, 2020 was a year of disruption, uncertainty, and tragedy. The COVID-19 pandemic reversed critical progress in reducing poverty and exacerbated inequalities. Many countries have also struggled to deliver assistance to the most affected people and maintain continuity in critical services because of distancing and lockdowns. This situation has acutely highlighted the importance of inclusive and trusted digital ID systems and the broader digital infrastructure they enable.
The Centre of Excellence for CRVS Systems supported UNSD in revising the Handbook on civil registration, vital statistics and identity management systems: Communication for development. As a follow up, the CoE is inviting interested parties to a series of webinars around strengthening demand creation for civil registration, vital statistics, and identity management systems.
Each month, our community newsletter puts a spotlight on one person from Asia-Pacific that has gone above and beyond in their efforts to support CRVS programmes, raise awareness of CRVS issues or lead CRVS improvement efforts in their home country. This month we are happy to highlight Mr. Sam Notzon from USA. Sam has recently retired following a long and impressive career dedicated to improving mortality reporting and supporting countries to accelerate sustainable CRVS development.
As part of the 52nd United Nations Statistical Commission, UNSD is organizing a side event for national statistical offices, international organizations and delegates of Permanent Missions to acquire a more detailed overview of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the functioning of civil registration and vital statistics worldwide, and more specifically through the lens of the UN Legal Identity Agenda (UN LIA).
The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, is the highest body of the global statistical system. It brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
