A key part of Child Rights Coalition Asia’s work is the advancement of children’s right to be heard on issues that either directly or indirectly affect them includes the development of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS). The demographic information provided by an efficient CRVS system is basic and an important basis for States’ planning and decision-making, especially in policies aimed at protecting the rights of children.
In 2014, countries in Asia and the Pacific attending the Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) adopted the Ministerial Declaration to “Get Every One in the Picture” and proclaimed 2015-2024 as the “Asian and Pacific CRVS Decade”. This Declaration includes the “shared vision that by 2024, all people in Asia and the Pacific will benefit from universal and responsive civil registration and vital statistics systems that facilitate the realization of their rights and support good governance, health and development.”[1]Such commitment was accompanied by a Regional Action Framework for CRVS in Asia and the Pacific which provides guidance to countries and development partners in the region working to improve CRVS systems.[2]
In 2018, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) at its 74th Session, supported the recommendation of the Regional Steering Group to convene a Second Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and Pacific in 2020 to enable countries in assessing regional progress and in identifying action towards the achievement of the goals and targets in the Regional Action Framework. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference is now planned for 16-19 November 2021.
In preparation for the Second Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and Pacific in 2021, UN ESCAP, in partnership with World Vision and CRC Asia conducted children and youth consultations in Asia and the Pacific.
Getting Children and Youth in the Picture 2021: A Report on the Consultation with Children and Young People on the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific
This report presents the views, experiences, and recommendations of 561 children and youth from 11 countries across Asia and the Pacific on CRVS, gathered through a series of discussions and consultations from March to April 2021. Download the Report here.
Message from the Children & Youth of Asia and the Pacific: Joint Statement of Children and Youth
The children and young people from the 11 countries also came out with a Joint Video Statement. View the video statement here:
CSO Joint Statement on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific
In addition, over 80 representatives of 52 civil society organizations (CSOs) who participated in the Regional Forum of CSOs on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific also came out with a Joint Statement. Download the Statement here.
Our CRVS partnership is a collaborative effort of civil society organizations and key development partners committed to improving CRVS systems across Asia and the Pacific.
With country-driven approach, the rights of children and young people are being promoted at the regional level and their voices are being amplified to ensure they have access to legal documentation. We also hope to achieve our shared vision that by 2024, all people in Asia and the Pacific will benefit from well-functioning CRVS systems. A dedicated website was developed through the collaboration of CRC Asia, UNICEF, World Vision, Vital Strategies, Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative, and UN ESCAP.
Visit the website here.
This webpage will be updated with news and updates on our advocacy and campaign on CRVS.