SESRIC, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will organize the Meeting of Central Asian Civil Registrars on 15-17 April 2025 at SESRIC Headquarters in Ankara, Türkiye. The meeting will bring together civil registrars from Central Asian countries and development partners to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for strengthening civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems in the region.

Civil registration is fundamental for ensuring social inclusion and access to essential services. Despite significant progress, countries in Central Asia continue to face challenges in birth and death registration and the digitization of CRVS systems. The meeting aims to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaboration to enhance CRVS systems and address cross-border issues such as migration and statelessness.

The initiative supports broader efforts under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening civil registration as a pillar for inclusive development and governance. The meeting will enhance regional cooperation among Central Asian civil registrars, foster peer learning, and contribute to strengthening CRVS governance. It will also serve as a preparatory step towards establishing a formalized subregional network, similar to existing mechanisms in the Pacific, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.