Over the past decade, Asia-Pacific countries and territories have made substantial progress in strengthening CRVS systems. This progress has been propelled by strong political will, institutional and legal reforms, technological advancements, and strategic regional collaboration. Nevertheless, major challenges persist, particularly in ensuring that hard-to-reach and marginalized populations are systematically registered and represented.
In response to ongoing gaps, the Regional Steering Group for CRVS in Asia and the Pacific recommended extending the CRVS Decade to 2030. While the original 2015–2024 timeframe saw many successes, many countries and territories have yet to fully achieve the goals set out in the Regional Action Framework. Extending the Decade aligns CRVS efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG target 16.9, which emphasizes legal identity for all. Beyond legal identity, CRVS systems are critical for producing data that supports over a quarter of SDG indicators.
Inclusivity remains a key focus for CRVS system improvement during the extension. An inclusive CRVS system must account for hard-to-reach and marginalized populations and people in vulnerable situations. Legal and administrative frameworks must be adapted to address barriers rooted in social, cultural, economic, and geographic realities. While some members and associate members have implemented measures like free registration and enabling civil registration for non-citizens, significant gaps remain. For instance, only 27 out of 50 members and associate members have implemented all four recommended inclusivity measures (e.g., vital event registration for non-citizens, facilitating registration for persons with disabilities and free registration for births and deaths).
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of resilient CRVS systems capable of operating during crises. Building resilience involves improving governance, legal frameworks, financing, and intersectoral cooperation, and integrating CRVS into national emergency and disaster frameworks. Thirty reporting members and associate members have assigned CRVS as an essential service ensuring continuity of services even during a crisis, 31 store CRVS data in offsite data storage systems, and 33 have developed a national data protection plan as several measures to enhance CRVS system resilience.
Digitalization has been one of the most transformative shifts of the CRVS Decade. Most countries have moved from paper-based to digital systems, enabling real-time data sharing, more accurate vital statistics, and continuity of services during crises. However, the benefits of digitalization are contingent on robust data governance.
The Third Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific offered a crucial opportunity to reflect on progress and commit to a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future. The decision to extend the CRVS Decade to 2030 is critical to addressing persistent gaps, empowering all individuals with legal identity, and reinforcing the role of CRVS in achieving the SDGs. Governments must act now to ensure CRVS systems truly leave no one behind.