Every child’s right to a nationality and identity: Preventing childhood statelessness

Statelessness remains a significant challenge affecting millions worldwide. At the end of 2024, at least 4.4 million stateless persons and persons of undetermined nationality were reported across 101 countries – with children representing 44% of those affected.

Discrimination, gaps in nationality laws, lack of safeguards for children who would otherwise be stateless, and inadequate birth registration systems remain key drivers of childhood statelessness. The 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness provides key safeguards to prevent children from being born stateless. Broader accession to the Convention and its full and effective implementation are urgently needed.

This Human Rights Council (HRC) side event will focus on one of the most effective strategies to end statelessness: ensuring that no child is born without a nationality. The discussion will highlight the Convention’s 65th anniversary, core safeguards and examine how these provisions can be effectively implemented in law and practice. Bringing together governments, regional bodies, UN agencies, and civil society – including voices with lived experience – the event will showcase concrete good practices, and promote multistakeholder action. Held ahead of the HRC’s Annual Discussion on the Rights of the Child, it will reaffirm that every child’s right to a nationality and identity is fundamental – and achievable through stronger safeguards and sustained commitment.

Speaker List:

Moderation: Professor Philip Jaffé, Vice Chair, United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child 

Panel:

Ms. Elizabeth Tan, Director, Division of International Protection and Solutions, UNHCR

Hon. Sabrina Gahar, Chairperson, African Committee of Experts on Rights and Welfare of the Child (TBC)

Ms. Neha Gurung, Co-founder, Citizenship Affected People’s Network (CAPN)

Government of Finland (TBC)

Government representative from Latin America (TBC)

Participation

Where? CENTRE D’ACCUEIL DE LA GENÈVE INTERNATIONALE, La Pastorale Route de Ferney 106, 1202 Genève

When? 2 March 2026, 10.15 – 11.45 am CET

For in-person participation, please register here: [email protected]

For online participation, please register here: https://l1nq.com/WAtr8