At the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific, governments across the region officially extended the Asia and Pacific CRVS Decade to 2030, reinforcing their dedication to building comprehensive and robust CRVS systems. This decision was formalized with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration on a Decade of Action for Inclusive and Resilient CRVS and the renewal of support for the Regional Action Framework (RAF).

To oversee this next phase, the Conference reaffirmed the critical role of the Regional Steering Group (RSG) for CRVS in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 2013 and supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the RSG will continue to guide the CRVS Decade and provide strategic oversight for the RAF's implementation.

The RSG, which is composed of members from various members and associate members of ESCAP and development partners, includes experts from civil registration, statistics, justice, health, and planning sectors. The group performs three key functions: Provide regional oversight and strategic guidance for the implementation of the Regional Action Framework, advice governments on the implementation of the RAF and foster coordination and alignments to the principles of the RAF. The extension of the CRVS Decade underscores a renewed regional commitment to ensuring that all vital life events are registered, thereby establishing a foundation for inclusive development, public health, and human rights.

Governments across the region have been invited to nominate one senior official to serve on the Regional Steering Group for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) for the 2026–2030 term. Nominations are open until 1 December 2025. Additional details about the Regional Steering Group (RSG) can be found here.