High‐level Meeting on the Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific

10‐11 December 2012, Bangkok Conference Room 1, United Nations Conference Centre

Version: 20 December

Co‐organized by

In cooperation with

Asian Development Bank (ADB) ∙ Asia‐Pacific Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women ∙ Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) ∙ Health Metrics Network (HMN) ∙ International Organization for Migration (IOM) Asia and Pacific Regional Office ∙ Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) ∙ Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21) ∙ Plan International ∙Royal Thai Government (Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, and National Statistical Office) ∙ Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) ∙ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Asia‐Pacific Regional Centre ∙ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Bangkok ∙ United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) ∙ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) ∙ United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) ∙ United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) ∙ University of Queensland: Health Information Systems Knowledge Hub (HISHub) High‐level Meeting Overview

Day 1 Day 2 9.00 Opening ceremony 9.00 Session 6: Striving for complete and high‐quality CRVS (Open discussion 9.40 Coffee break around outcomes D, E and F) 10.00 Session 1: Everybody’s business (Panel 10.30 Coffee break discussion) 10.45 Session 7: Enhancing the coordination 11.10 Session 2: The impetus for regional action of key stakeholders (Open discussion (Presentations and open discussion) around outcome G) 12.00 Lunch and side‐event (Public foyer)‐ 12.00 Lunch Innovative approaches to civil 14.00 Session 3: Introduction to the draft registration: Identity at birth and Regional Strategic Plan (Presentation) beyond 14.15 Session 4: What improving CRVS means for 14.00 Session 8: Improving the use of vital the health, statistics and civil registration statistics (Open discussion around sectors (Open discussion) outcome H) 14.45 Session 9: Governance of the Regional 15.30 Coffee break Strategic Plan (Presentations and open 15.45 Session 5: Enabling improvement (Open discussion) discussion around outcomes A, B and C) 15.15 Coffee break 15.30 Session 10: Moving forward as a region 17.00 Reception and dinner (Reception area) ‐ (Open discussion) Improving CRVS in Africa and Latin 16.15 Session 11: Conclusion ‐ Call for a 2020 America – Sharing experience and lessons‐ Promise (Open discussion) learnt 17.00 Closing ceremony 20.00 ‐ Day end ‐ 17.30 ‐ Meeting end ‐

Draft Regional Strategic Plan Outcomes A. Enhanced public awareness of the value of civil registration and vital statistics systems and actions taken to remove barriers to registration at all levels. B. Sustained political commitment to support the development and improvement of civil registration and vital statistics systems. C. Sufficient and sustainable investments towards making incremental improvements in civil registration and vital statistics systems. D. Improved and strengthened policies, legislation and implementation of regulations for civil registration and vital statistics systems. E. Improved availability and quality of legal documentation for all individuals. F. Increased capacity of countries in Asia and the Pacific to record, compile, analyse and disseminate complete and reliable statistics on vital events. G. Mechanisms established for effective coordination among key stakeholders within civil registration and vital statistics systems. H. Increased capacity of countries in Asia and the Pacific to effectively use vital statistics.

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High‐level Meeting Detailed Programme

‐ DAY ONE ‐ 10 DECEMBER 2012 08.00 – Registration 08:45 Location: Registration Desk, Reception Hall, United Nations Conference Centre 09.00 – Opening Ceremony 09.40  Welcome statement: Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Under‐Secretary‐General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP

 Opening remarks (by video): Dr Marie‐Paul Kieny, Assistant Director‐General for Health Systems and Innovation of WHO and Executive Secretary of HMN  Introductory remarks: Mr Trevor Sutton, Deputy Australian Statistician, ABS on behalf of: Mr Brian Pink, Chair, ESCAP Committee on Statistics and Australian Statistician, ABS  Keynote speech: Mom Luang Panadda Diskul, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Royal Thai Government on behalf of H.E. Mr Charupong Ruangsuwan, Minister of Interior, Royal Thai Government 09.40 – Coffee break 10.00 10.00 – Session 1 Objective: 11.10 Everybody’s business: Civil registration and vital statistics in Asia and the Pacific Increased appreciation for the multiple development Chair: Ms Jane Thomason, Advisor to the Executive Board, HMN perspectives on the Panel discussion importance and benefits of  Mr Juzhong Zhuang, Deputy Chief Economist, ADB well‐functioning CRVS  Mr Andrew Bruce, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, IOM systems.  Ms Roberta Clarke, Regional Director and Representative for Thailand, UN Women  Mr Daniel Toole, Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF  Mr Thomas Vargas, Senior Regional Protection Adviser and Head of the Regional Protection Unit, Regional Coordinator’s Office for South‐East Asia, UNHCR  Ms Anuradha Rajivan, Team Leader, Inclusive Growth and Poverty Reduction, UNDP Asia‐Pacific Regional Centre Open discussion Summary by Chair 11.10 – Session 2 Objective: 12.00 The impetus for regional action: Regional development and country experiences Shared understanding of the current state of CRVS systems Chair: Mr Trevor Sutton, Deputy Australian Statistician, ABS in Asia and the Pacific and the Presentations: urgency for regional action.  Mr Alan Lopez, Head of the School of Population Health, University of Queensland and Chair of the Executive Board, HMN – on the findings of assessments of national CRVS systems in the region.  Ms Carmelita Ericta, Administrator and Civil Registrar‐General, National Statistics Office, Philippines – on the experience of conducting a comprehensive assessment of national CRVS systems and developing national improvement plans.  Mr Sefuiva Reupena Muagututia, Government Statistician, Samoa Bureau of Statistics – on the Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan. Open discussion Summary by Rapporteur: Mr Nicholas Oakeshott, Regional Protection Officer, UNHCR 12.00 – Lunch 14:00 Location: Reception Area, Ground Floor of the United Nations Convention Centre

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14:00 – Session 3 Objective: 14:15 Regional Strategic Plan for the Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Enhanced awareness of why Statistics in Asia and the Pacific and how the proposed Regional Strategic Plan was Presentation: developed; and how the  Ms Haishan Fu, Director, Statistics Division, ESCAP and Chair of the Organizing following sessions of the Committee – Introducing the draft Regional Strategic Plan and the objectives of meeting are organized to the High‐level Meeting provide opportunities for Reference document: Draft Regional Strategic Plan for the Improvement of Civil participants to contribute to Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific (Draft Regional Strategic the further development and Plan) implementation of the Regional Strategic Plan. 14:15 – Session 4 Objective: 15.30 What improving CRVS systems means for the Health, Statistics and Civil Shared appreciation for the Registration sectors vast benefits of bringing stakeholders from the three Chair: Ms Geela Ali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Maldives sectors together and Lead discussants: enhanced awareness of the  Ms Lene Mikkelsen, HISHub, University of Queensland, Australia role that each sector and  Mr Razali Ritonga, Director, Population and Labour Statistics, Statistics other stakeholders can and Indonesia must play in improving CRVS  Mr Muhammad Tariq Malik, Chairman, National Database and Registration systems. Authority, Pakistan  Mr Sanzharbek Isaev, Head, Health Unit, Office of the Prime Minister, Kyrgyzstan Open discussion Summary by Rapporteur: Ms Carla AbouZahr, Technical Expert in Health Information and Statistics Reference document: Draft Regional Strategic Plan, Introduction 15.30 – Coffee break 15:45 15:45 – Session 5 Objective: 17:00 Enabling improvement: Public awareness, political commitment and investment Consensus over the challenges and possible solutions related Chair: Mr Gerald Haberkorn, Manager, Statistics for Development Programme, to enabling the improvement SPC of CRVS systems; concrete Lead discussants: recommendations on national actions and regional support  Mr Khammoune Viphongxay, Vice Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Lao PDR activities required to promote  Ms Yasmeen Karim, Programme Manager, Gender & Development, Aga Khan the desired change. Rural Support Programme, Pakistan

 Mr Prapto Hadi, Advisor, Consortium for Civil Registration and Population, Indonesia  Ms Jane Thomason, Advisor to the Executive Board, HMN Open discussion Summary by Rapporteur: Ms Amalee McCoy, Regional Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Reference document: Draft Regional Strategic Plan, outcomes A, B and C 17.00 – Dinner Reception (by invitation only) 20.00 Improving CRVS in Africa and Latin America: Sharing experiences and lessons‐learnt Hosted by Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Under‐Secretary‐General of United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Speakers:  Mr Pali Lehohla, Statistician‐General, Statistics South Africa  Ms Cristina Tello, Project Coordinator, Office of Planning and Budget, Uruguay Location: Reception Area, Ground Floor of the United Nations Convention Centre

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‐ DAY TWO ‐ 11 DECEMBER 2012 09.00 – Session 6 Objective: 10.30 Striving for complete and high‐quality civil registration and vital statistics Common understanding of the challenges and possible Chair: Ms Karine Kuyumjyan, Head, Population Census and Demography solutions for improving the Department, National Statistical Service, Armenia coverage and quality of CRVS Lead discussants: systems; concrete  Mr David John, Registrar‐General, Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths & recommendations on the Marriages, Australia national actions and regional  Mr. Sumit Wophapho, Capacity Improvement of Tribal Community in Nam‐ support activities required for Fang, Thailand fostering improvement.  Mr Joseph Angeles, Senior Special Assistant (International Economic Relations), Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines (Rapporteur from the ASEAN/UNHCR Birth Registration Workshop held in Bangkok on 7 December)  Mr Takao Itou, Executive Statistician for International Statistical Affairs, Office of Director‐General for Policy Planning, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan Open discussion Summary by Rapporteur: Mr Christophe Lefranc, Technical Advisor, UNFPA, Bangkok and Co‐Chair, Partners for Statistics Development in Asia‐Pacific Reference document: Draft Regional Strategic Plan, outcomes D, E and F 10.30 – Coffee break 10.45 10.45 – Session 7 Objective: 12.00 Enhancing the coordination of key stakeholders Consensus over the challenges and possible solutions related Chair: Mr Ahmed Jan Naeem, Deputy Minister for Policy and Planning, to enhancing the coordination Ministry of Public Health, Afghanistan amongst key stakeholders; Lead discussants: concrete recommendations for national actions and  Ms Mini Pollayil Alphonse, Deputy Registrar‐General, Office of Registrar regional support activities General, India required for promoting  Mr Darith Hor, Deputy Director‐General, National Institute of Statistics and desired change. ChairVS of CR Coordination Committee, Cambodia  Mr Samantha Ranjan Udayakantha Wimalaratne, Director, Health Information Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka  Ms Ji‐Youn Lee, Senior Deputy Director, Statistics Korea, Republic of Korea Open discussion Summary by Rapporteur: Ms Anneke Schmider, Director, CRVS International Projects, ABS Reference document: Draft Regional Strategic Plan –outcome G 12.00 – Lunch and side‐event(by invitation only) 14.00 Innovative Approaches to Civil Registration: Identity at birth and beyond Organized by: Plan International and UNICEF Location: Public Foyer, Ground Floor of the United Nations Convention Centre 14.00 – Session 8 Objective: 14.45 Improving the use of vital statistics Shared understanding of the challenges and possible Chair: Mr Nima Wangdi, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Bhutan solutions related to improving Lead discussants: the use of vital statistics,  Mr Henk Bekedam, Director, Health Sector Development, Western Pacific particularly to support Region, WHO evidence‐based policy‐making;  Ms Ohn Mar Kyi, Deputy Director, Health Information, Ministry of Health concrete recommendations on Planning, Myanmar the national actions and  Mr Antonio Freitas, Director‐General, Ministry of Finance, Timor‐Leste regional support activities Open discussion required for generating the desired improvements. Summary by Rapporteur: Mr Bishwa Tiwari, Deputy Programme Coordinator, UNDP Asia‐Pacific Regional Centre Reference document: Draft Regional Strategic Plan, outcome H 5

14.45 – Session 9 Expected outcome: 15.15 Governance of the Regional Strategic Plan Shared understanding of the importance of an effective Chair: Mr Samaychanh Boupha, Vice Minister and Head of the National Statistics governance arrangement for Office, Lao PDR ensuring successful Presenters: implementation of the proposed Regional Strategic  Ms Karen Carter, Vital Statistics/Civil Registration Specialist, SPC – on the Plan, and the potential of governance framework of the Pacific Vital Statistics Action Plan various governance  Mr Raj Gautam Mitra, Chief, Demographic and Social Statistics Section, frameworks for similar African Centre for Statistics– on the governance framework for the Regional initiatives. Medium‐Term plan 2010‐2015: Reforming and Improving Civil Registration

and Vital Statistics Systems in Africa

Open discussion Summary by Rapporteur: Mr Mark Landry, Technical Officer, WPRO, WHO Reference document: Draft Regional Strategic Plan – governance 15.15 – Coffee break 15.30 15.30 – Session 10 Objective: 16.15 Moving forward as a region: Generating momentum for joint action towards Shared vision over the best improving CRVS systems in Asia and the Pacific ways forward for generating momentum for joint action Chair: Mr Boonchai Kijsanayotin, Medical Informatics Officer, Ministry of Public towards improving CRVS Health, Thailand systems in Asia and the Pacific, Lead discussants: including how political commitment and resources  Mr Thawatchai Thamarux, Director, Bureau of Registration Administration, can be secured, as well as Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, Thailand coordination and collaboration  Mr Beejaye Kokil, Manager, Economic and Social Statistics Division, AfDB at national and regional levels.  Mr Mohammadreza Doostmohammadi, Director General, Office of Planning, Performance Monitoring and Secretariat of the High Council of Statistics, Statistical Council of Iran Open discussion Summary by Rapporteur: Mr Kaushal Joshi, Senior Statistician, ADB 16.15 – Session 11 Objective: 17.00 Conclusion: Call for a 2020 Promise to Make Every Life Count Expressed support by meeting participants for the summary Co‐Chairs: recommendations of the High‐  Ms Haishan Fu, Director, Statistics Division, ESCAP and Cha ir, Organizing level Meeting in the form of Committee for the High‐level Meeting an outcome document,  Ms Jane Thomason, Advisor to the Executive Board, HMN tentatively titled, “Call for a 2020 Promise to Make Every Life Count”. 17.00 – Closing ceremony 17.30 Reflections

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Co‐organized by:

In cooperation with:

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