United Nations Statistical Commission

There is a growing international recognition of the importance of developing Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems and the establishment and strengthening of such systems have become a priority in an increasing number of countries. A developed CRVS system has implications that go beyond statistics – covering the establishment of legal identities, human rights, health and good governance and is essential for developing good policies in these areas. In this side event we will cover countries with a long history of producing vital statistics based on administrative sources together with countries that have more recently started this development. Does the CRVS system as it functions today give a realistic picture of the refugee/ migration situation in various areas of the world, is another question raised and discussed in this side event.

Agenda

Chair:

1. Introduction to the topic – Mr. Olav Ljones, Deputy Director, Statistics Norway

Presenters:

2. Lessons from almost 300 years of vital statistics and civil registration in Norway – Mr. Espen Sǿbye, Senior Adviser, Statistics Norway
   • Presentation
   • Full article
3. Challenges for the future. Implementation of international statistical standards for civil registration and vital statistics – Mr Srdjan Mrkic, Chief, Demographic Statistics Section, UNSD
   • Presentation
4. Administrative Records System in Ecuador, Moving from a traditional population and housing census to a register based solution. – Dr José Rosero Executive Director, National Institute of Statistics and Census, INEC of Ecuador
   • Presentation
5. Perspectives from South Africa and the Africa region – Dr Pali Lehohla Statistician, General of Statistics South Africa