(Newsletter October 2023)

In a significant step toward enhancing the quality of data and statistics in the Pacific region, the Pacific Heads of Planning and Statistics (HOPS) met this month to discuss and agree on the way forward on CRVS and other issues.

The Action Plan for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics endorsed the Brisbane Accord Group's Action Plan for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics 2023-2026. This facilitates increased collaboration between country-level agencies and partner organizations to enhance civil registration comprehensiveness and ensure the utility of civil registration data for statistical analysis.

The regional cause of death approach supports the establishment of a regional support team for technical assistance in cause-of-death coding, advocating a regional approach, and acknowledging ongoing work and next steps for this collaborative effort.

The outcome of this meeting provides hope and a sense of direction in strengthening CRVS systems and improving the quality of data collection and analysis in the region.