ESCAP, the regional development arm of the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific, is committed to a resilient region, shared prosperity, social equity and sustainability. ESCAP works to overcome some of the region's greatest challenges though normative work, technical assistance and capacity building in 7 core areas of work (http://www.unescap.org/our-work). Through its broad mandate of social and economic development, its convening power and the expertise found in the Statistics Division and Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP serve as a key facilitator and hub for CRVS activities in the region.

ESCAP offers a comprehensive and broad multilateral platform to promote CRVS as a central development issue at the national, regional and global level. The ESCAP secretariat is working with Member States and a range of development partners to improve CRVS systems for the betterment of rights, governance and data. Some of the specific activities include:

• Contributing to the full and effective implementation of the Ministerial Declaration and Regional Action Framework on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific in close collaboration with member States and development partners;
• Facilitating the establishment of national coordination mechanisms for better coordination and regular consultation with main national stakeholders of CRVS
• Supporting the conduct of comprehensive country assessments and the development and implementation of multisectoral national CRVS strategies and plans;
• Promoting coordinated support by development partners to member States through convening the Regional Partnership on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics and disseminating relevant knowledge products and tools;
• Enhancing awareness and commitment by governments, civil society and the international community to invest in strengthening CRVS systems for good governance, ensuring individuals have legal documentation to claim identity, securing basic human rights and providing a continuous source of key development data;
• Promoting the “Get everyone in the picture” regional initiative and CRVS Decade and raising awareness of the significance of CRVS for inclusive and sustainable development
• Functioning as the secretariat for the Regional Steering Group on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific as well as the Regional Action Framework on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific