Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
ZIMBABWE has assumed the chairmanship of the Bureau of African Registrars General, a milestone that positions the country at the forefront of efforts to strengthen civil registration and vital statistics systems across the continent.
Registrar General Mr Henry Machiri accepted the role during the Annual Expert Group Meeting for African Registrars General and the Board of the Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Shared Asset, currently underway in Victoria Falls.
The meeting has brought together Registrars General, senior Government officials, development partners and civil registration experts from across Africa to map the next phase of strengthening civil registration systems.
Zimbabwe takes over the chairmanship from Equatorial Guinea’s Registrar General, Mr Miguel Nguema, whose tenure focused on promoting collaboration among member states and advancing robust civil registration systems.
Accepting the position, Mr Machiri said Zimbabwe was honoured by the confidence placed in it and pledged to advance the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics agenda across the continent.
“It is with profound honour, humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the Chairmanship of the Bureau of African Registrars General. I am sincerely grateful for the confidence and trust that you have placed in Zimbabwe to lead this esteemed Bureau during the forthcoming term,” he said.
“On behalf of Zimbabwe, I express my heartfelt appreciation for this privilege and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to advancing the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) agenda across our continent.”
Mr Machiri paid tribute to his predecessor, saying his leadership had laid a solid foundation for the Bureau’s continued work.
He described civil registration as a fundamental human right that underpins good governance, inclusive development and evidence-based policy making.
“Universal and comprehensive civil registration systems enable Governments to protect the rights of their citizens, improve access to essential services, strengthen national planning and monitor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the aspirations of Agenda 2063,” he said.
Mr Machiri outlined key priorities for his term, including strengthening collaboration among African Registrars General, accelerating digital transformation and innovation in civil registration systems, improving interoperability between CRVS and national identity management systems, enhancing the completeness and quality of birth and death registration, and promoting knowledge sharing among member states.
He said Zimbabwe would work closely with the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), regional economic communities and development partners to consolidate gains made while addressing outstanding challenges.
“Let us continue working together in the spirit of solidarity, mutual respect and shared responsibility to accelerate universal and inclusive civil registration systems that ensure every person is legally recognised from birth to death,” he said.
The conference also heard calls for African countries to integrate their civil registration systems to improve cross-border verification, enhance security and facilitate seamless movement across the continent.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Dr Kazembe Kazembe urged African nations to embrace interoperable systems while safeguarding national sovereignty.
“The borders have collapsed due to technology. Why shouldn’t the systems talk to each other? Why shouldn’t the system in Zimbabwe communicate with the system in Burundi?” he said.
UNECA also urged Governments to prioritise funding for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics programmes, describing them as a public good that should be financed by the State.
The week-long meeting is expected to further cement Zimbabwe’s reputation as a preferred destination for international conferences. Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo said hosting the gathering reflected the confidence African countries continue to place in Zimbabwe.
“Together, let us strengthen Africa’s civil registration systems, uphold every individual’s right to legal identity and build a future where every life counts and every event is registered,” said Mr Machiri.
