On 5 - 7 March 2024 in Palau, the Pacific Community (SPC) in collaboration with Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA), Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), other Brisbane Accord Group (BAG) partners, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) organised a 3-day workshop to strengthen capacity in medical certification of cause of death and strengthen civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) and health systems. 

The workshop was held in alignment with the regional priority to strengthen cause of death certification and coding for analysis, reporting and evidence-based policy direction. It helped countries to move towards accurate and reliable mortality data to monitor population health and guide public health decision-making. 

The next workshop on cause of death data and CRVS strengthening for the Pacific is organised on 11 - 15 March 2024 in the Federated States of Micronesia.