Children and Youth Voices Echo at the 3rd Asia-Pacific CRVS Ministerial Conference
- Children and youth join multisectoral leaders from across the region to convene and renew their commitment to achieving universal and responsive CRVS systems by 2030.
- UNESCAP data: In just 10 years, the number of unregistered children under five in Asia and the Pacific dropped from 135 million to 51 million. Now, 84 million more children have a legal identity, gaining a better start in life.
- Despite this progress, 1 in 6 children under 5 remain unregistered, and 14 million babies still go unregistered each year.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – 25 June 2025 – A powerful side event titled "Children and Youth in the Picture: Barriers and Solutions to Future-Proofing CRVS Systems" recently amplified the voices of the region's youngest citizens. Held during the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific, the event significantly boosted crucial perspectives on improving vital statistics systems.
Amihan Abueva, Regional Executive Director of Child Rights Coalition Asia, shared, "The progress we've made, extending legal identity to an additional 84 million children, is a testament to our collective effort and partnerships. However, the fact that 14 million babies still go unregistered each year—leaving 1 in 6 children under five without foundational rights—reinforces why our commitment to universal CRVS by 2030 is non-negotiable. It's about ensuring every child has their right to existence, protection, and opportunity recognised from day one."
Held alongside the main Ministerial Conference, this vital session brought the insightful voices of children and youth representatives, who previously participated in the Young People and Civil Society Forum on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (4-6 March 2025, Bangkok), to a broad and influential audience. The discussions engaged key stakeholders and government representatives in exploring concrete recommendations to make CRVS systems truly inclusive and resilient for future generations.
Terry Ferrari, World Vision East Asia Regional Leader, said, "The engagement of children and youth in this conference has been truly inspiring. Their firsthand accounts and innovative recommendations are indispensable as we work to build CRVS systems that leave no one behind and are fit for the challenges of tomorrow. World Vision is committed to integrating these valuable perspectives into our strategies to ensure every child has a legal identity and access to essential services."
The Third Ministerial Conference, held from 24 to 26 June 2025 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, served as a landmark platform for Ministers responsible for Civil Registration, Planning, Justice, Health, Statistics, Finance, National ID systems, and ICT from across Asia and the Pacific. The conference celebrated achievements of the CRVS Decade, reviewed progress against the 2014 and 2021 Ministerial Declarations, and formally extended the Decade to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A key objective was to enhance commitment to ensuring inclusive and resilient CRVS systems as a foundation for legal identity for all.
Adding to the vibrant discussions, the children and youth also showcased their ideas through an interactive booth, offering a tangible representation of their impactful work that shows their insightful views and recommendations. The "Birthday Party" theme powerfully underscored the importance of documenting one's birthdate as the first step to establishing identity and gaining access to essential services in the community.
A joint video statement was also developed by children and youth, amplifying voices from national and regional consultations on civil registration and vital statistics across Asia and the Pacific. It features the collective voices of young people, including CNa, 17, Za, 17, Ppha, 19, and Chaidden, 22, from Cambodia; Huad, 25, from Laos; Undarmaa, 15, from Mongolia; Aadharsha, 19 and Kripa, 17, from Nepal, and Amarta, 13, from Pakistan. The statement underscores the importance of sharing their stories, ideas, and recommendations to help ensure that all children, everywhere, can have their birth registered and obtain the necessary documents for schooling, healthcare, and safety.
Ador,19, a World Vision youth representative from the Philippines, added, “Without registration, many of us don't officially exist – not in records, and not in rights. Getting registered is often impossible, with offices too far away and travel costs too high. We may be young, but we know what's right, and we won't be silent until every child is counted."
Himanshi,15, a World Vision child representative from Sri Lanka, shared, “For us, a birth certificate isn't just a piece of paper; it's our key to school, healthcare, and safety. We face so many hurdles – from complex forms in difficult languages to unclear rules and inaccessible offices. But whether we live in a city, a village, or a tent, we matter. Real change to fix these systems will take all of us – governments, civil society, and every person who cares."
The Children and Youth in the Picture side event directly supported the overarching goal of improving CRVS systems by highlighting the unique experiences and recommendations of young people regarding birth, marriage, and death registration and certification. Their insights provided crucial input for identifying and addressing the systemic barriers that prevent CRVS systems from serving all individuals effectively and equitably.
Cherian Thomas, World Vision South Asia and Pacific Regional Leader, said, “This event underscored the fundamental truth that CRVS systems are not just about data; they are about human rights and dignity. By listening to children and youth, we gain a clearer roadmap for future-proofing these critical systems and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030."
Organised as a collaborative effort involving the Regional Steering Group for CRVS and supported by World Vision, Child Rights Coalition Asia, UNICEF, ESCAP and various development partners, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, CDC Foundation, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, IOM, Pacific Community, Plan International, Statistics Norway, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, Vital Strategies, WHO, World Bank, and Global Financing Facility, the 3-day conference highlights the commitment to a comprehensive and inclusive approach to CRVS development.
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For arrangements with media, please contact:
Child Rights Coalition Asia
Micah Fernando | Communications Manager
World Vision East Asia
Yuventa Chang | Senior Communications Adviser
World Vision South Asia & Pacific
Aaron Joseph Aspi | Communications Adviser
Photos can be downloaded from this link