By Aina Helen Saetre, and Petra Nahmias
In today’s interconnected world, the ability to prove one’s identity isn’t just a legal formality—it’s a fundamental human right that unlocks access to a wide range of services and opportunities. For many, having a birth certificate or an ID card is something easily taken for granted. But for migrants, refugees, and stateless people, legal recognition is crucial for securing rights and accessing essential services. This is where Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems play a pivotal role, ensuring that every person is recognized under the law, regardless of their circ*mstances.
A recent joint workshop brought together over 40 representatives from 11 governments across Asia and the Pacific. Co-organized by ESCAP, UNHCR, UNICEF, EGRISS, and IDAC, this gathering provided a platform to delve deep into the challenges and solutions surrounding the inclusion of stateless and displaced populations in CRVS systems.
A Collaborative Effort to Tackle Challenges
One of the most rewarding aspects of the workshop was the exchange of best practices. Participants shared inspiring stories of successful initiatives—such as mobile registration units that travel to remote areas and community-based campaigns designed to reach those who are often left out of the system. These examples demonstrated that with innovation and commitment, significant barriers to inclusion can be overcome.
However, the road ahead is still fraught with challenges. Many countries, for instance, lack a legal definition of statelessness, making it extremely difficult to include them in CRVS systems. Additionally, the absence of comprehensive data and the need for better integration with identity management systems emerged as key obstacles.
A crucial takeaway from the discussions was the emphasis on conducting inequality assessments of CRVS systems. These assessments are essential for identifying disparities and ensuring that all population groups, especially the most marginalized, are accounted for in national statistics. It’s about making sure no one slips through the cracks and UNHCR and ESCAP are committed to truly leaving no one behind.
Building Stronger Systems Through Partnership
The importance of technical support and partnerships was a recurring theme throughout the workshop. Fostering national, regional and international cooperation is seen as key to overcoming the challenges faced. By sharing best practices and pooling resources, improvements can be made in data availability, and responsible data sharing can be ensured—all while adhering to strict principles of protection and privacy.
Capacity building also emerged as a significant focus. Strengthening the skills and resources of national authorities and stakeholders is vital to sustaining improvements in CRVS systems. Whether through training or providing necessary tools, empowering those on the front lines is essential for the success of these initiatives.
The Power of Legal Identity
Legal identity is more than just a piece of paper; it’s a lifeline that grants individuals access to education, healthcare, social protection, and employment. Discussions highlighted the critical need for integrating CRVS systems with broader identity management systems. This integration ensures that everyone, including displaced and stateless persons, can access the services and opportunities they need to thrive.
Looking Toward Regional and International Cooperation
One important outcome of the workshop was the shared understanding that cross national, regional and international cooperation is crucial for success. There was a collective sense of purpose, with participants committed to enhancing collaboration between countries and organizations like ESCAP and UNHCR. These partnerships are essential for bridging the gaps between national policies and international standards, ensuring that CRVS systems are inclusive and effective.
Protecting What Matters: Data Privacy and Security
As efforts to improve data availability continue, the protection of that data must remain a priority. Workshop discussions reinforced the need for strict adherence to principles of protection and privacy, particularly for vulnerable populations like migrants, refugees, and stateless persons. Safeguarding their personal information is not just a legal requirement—it’s a moral imperative.
Moving Forward Together
As the workshop concluded, there was a strong sense of momentum. The importance of sustaining efforts through resource mobilization and advocacy was unmistakable. Ensuring that inclusive CRVS systems remain a priority at national, regional, and international levels will require continuous dedication and collaboration.
The path forward is clear. Continued collective efforts are needed, with ongoing dialogue, technical support, and the sharing of experiences and best practices to create inclusive CRVS systems across Asia and the Pacific. The upcoming represents critical milestones in this journey, while the redoubling of UNHCR’s effort to ending statelessness shows the commitment, both offering an opportunity to advance collective efforts and uphold the fundamental human rights of the most vulnerable.
Ensuring that every individual is recognized and accounted for in CRVS systems isn’t just about meeting a bureaucratic requirement. It’s about building a more inclusive and equitable world, where everyone has the chance to be seen, heard, and supported.
