| 15 Avril 2013
WHAT: At the Global Summit organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health Metrics Network (HMN) in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and other UN/civil society partners, more than 200 participants representing governments, development agencies, civil society, academia and other partners will discuss concrete steps to improve civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) in countries. The Summit follows regional meetings in Asia, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean and will focus on innovations, regional platforms, and next steps to move CRVS up on the international development agenda. The Summit is expected to adopt a Statement outlining an action plan for strengthening country CRVS systems.
A detailed programme of the summit and a media accreditation form are available on the official website of the summit: www.globalsummitoncrvs.org.
BACKGROUND: Around 80 countries do not have functioning civil registration systems to document births and deaths. Today, only one in four people lives in a country that registers more than 90% of births and deaths. Information about causes of death is even scarcer. Most uncounted births and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and south-east Asia. Outdated laws, weak infrastructure, lack of trained staff and funds are some of the reasons for poor systems.
Well-functioning CRVS systems are fundamental for safeguarding the rights to which every human being is entitled. It comprises of the registration of births, marriages, divorces and adoptions, as well as death registration and cause-of-death certification.
Civil registration also generates vital statistics, which are essential for analyzing and monitoring trends and for developing policies and services for the population. Reliable data on causes of death is critical for ensuring resources are used on the most important issues and in the right places. For instance, civil registration generates data for measuring 42 of the 60 indicators for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
WHEN: Thursday, 18 April – Friday, 19 April 2013
WHERE: Room Crystal B, Plaza Athenee Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
