UNFPA has reached a significant milestone under the World Bank-funded HISWACA project with the adoption of two essential regional reference documents during the 45th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Central African Economic Union (UEAC), which took place on June 13, 2026, in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. The Council officially endorsed the Reference Manual for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems in Central Africa and the Practical Guide for Population and Housing Censuses (PHC) in the CEMAC Region.

These strategic resources are designed to assist Member States in strengthening their civil registration systems, improving the production of harmonized population data, and enhancing the comparability of demographic information across the region, all of which are crucial for regional integration. Acknowledging their importance, the Ministers have urged for the widespread dissemination and implementation of these documents across all CEMAC countries. This adoption represents a pivotal advancement in fostering evidence-based policymaking, contributing in the achievement of the UNFPA outcome 4, and promoting inclusive sustainable development in Central Africa.