Governments across Asia and the Pacific today reached a landmark decision to ensure that all births are registered and all deaths are recorded by 2030, bringing the vision of universal, inclusive and resilient civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems one step closer to reality.
This renewed pledge, adopted at the conclusion of the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific, ushers in the next chapter of the CRVS Decade. It strengthens regional momentum and aligns more closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing the shared vision of inclusive development for all.
The Ministerial Declaration reaffirms the shared vision that all people in Asia and the Pacific will benefit from universal and responsive CRVS systems, essential for ensuring legal identity, protecting human rights, enabling good governance, strengthening public health and driving sustainable development. The Declaration also highlights the importance of marriage registration and the urgent need to build resilient and inclusive CRVS systems that can withstand future crises and reach everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Over the past decade, Asia and the Pacific has made remarkable progress: The number of unregistered children under five has dropped to 51 million today from 135 million in 2012, a reduction of more than 60 per cent. Twenty-nine countries now register over 90 per cent of births within a year, while 30 countries achieve the same for death registration. The quality of cause-of-death reporting has also significantly improved, thanks to sustained efforts to strengthen civil registration and health systems.
But despite this progress, an estimated 14 million children across the region still do not have their births registered by their first birthday. And each year, approximately 6.9 million deaths go unrecorded, most often those occurring outside health facilities or in remote communities.
"These numbers are more than statistics, they represent lives without legal recognition and families left without support," said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). "This week has been a powerful call to action. We have seen inspiring examples of countries reaching the most marginalized, embracing digital innovation and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks."
The Declaration sets out a bold and ambitious roadmap to 2030, one that places people at the centre. It calls for inclusive and accessible service delivery, harnesses the power of digital transformation, strengthens legal foundations and builds integrated interoperable data systems. Governments across the region also committed to improving gender equity in registration processes, safeguarding personal data and privacy and ensuring the continuity of CRVS services even in times of crises.
The renewed commitment marks a powerful regional pledge to leave no one behind. It signals a united drive to close the remaining gaps, build resilient and inclusive CRVS systems and ensure that every person - regardless of gender, location or circumstance - is counted, protected and visible in public policy.
