A total of 87 organizations comprising 90 participants joined the virtual Regional Forum of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific last October 20, 2021.

The event was held to provide a space for CSOs and other groups to unify their action calls for the upcoming 2nd Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific. Amihan Abueva, the Regional Executive Director of Child Rights Coalition in Asia (CRC Asia), also added that they discussed the importance of CRVS in advancing the rights of different sectors and communities.

“By 2024, all people in Asia and the Pacific benefit from a universal and responsive CRVS systems that facilitate the realization of their rights and support good governance, health, and development,” David Rausis, a statistician from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), shared the main goal of all efforts done towards CRVS.

During the forum, the participants unified the messages that they will present during the 2nd Ministerial Conference on CRVS. Responses include making CRVS processes simple and accessible, creating a child-rights responsive CRVS system, and involving CSOs in the process.

The forum was also graced by key speakers including Ariel Odtojan, Regional Advocacy and External Engagement Manager of World Vision International – Asia and the Pacific, who shared about the vital role of CSOs in the CRVS process, Nimali Sriyakanthi from Generation Never Give Up who represented the voice of children and youth, Kathreen Rose Yee-Pornela, the Regional Advocacy Director of World Vision International – Asia and the Pacific who provided plans and insights of the near future, and Dr. Rinchen Chopel, a member of the UN Committee of the Rights of the Child, who shared an inspirational summary of the forum.

During the panel discussions, Subin Mulmi, the Executive Director of Nationality for All, Santipong Moonfong, the Manager of the Legal Status Network Foundation, and Ranilo Sorongon, Social Marketing Unit Manager of NORFIL Foundation Inc., shared about the inclusivity of CRVS for displaced people, persons and children with disabilities, and indigenous people.

The forum was organized by CRC Asia, World Vision, UN ESCAP, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Vital Strategies.