Arab Regional Workshop in Tunis to Advance Legal Identity and Prevent Statelessness

Tunis, Tunisia | 2 November 2026 — UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency, in partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS), is convening a two-day regional workshop in Tunis on 2–3 November 2026 to advance the implementation of the Arab Declaration on Belonging and Legal Identity.

The workshop brings together senior representatives from relevant ministries of Arab Member States, including ministries of interior, justice, social affairs and foreign affairs, alongside representatives of regional organizations and the United Nations. Participants will review progress achieved since the adoption of the Declaration and discuss practical approaches to translating regional commitments into national policies, legislation and programmes.

Legal identity and nationality are fundamental to the protection of human rights, social inclusion and access to essential services. Birth registration and the recognition of nationality are particularly important in ensuring that every child can establish their legal identity and enjoy their rights. Gaps in civil registration systems and nationality laws can leave individuals at risk of statelessness, limiting their access to education, healthcare and other essential services.

Adopted by the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Development in Doha, Qatar, in March 2023, the Arab Declaration on Belonging and Legal Identity represents an important regional commitment to ensuring that every child has the right to a name, nationality and legal identity. The Declaration was officially launched by the League of Arab States and UNHCR in Cairo on 14 July 2024.

Building on these achievements, the workshop will focus on moving from regional commitments to concrete action. Discussions will address the implementation of the Declaration, alongside key priorities such as universal birth registration, inclusive nationality laws and policies, the prevention and reduction of statelessness, and stronger civil registration systems.

The workshop will also provide a platform for Arab Member States to share national experiences, promising practices and lessons learned. Through interactive technical sessions and country presentations, participants will identify national priorities, assess technical assistance and capacity-building needs, and explore opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation and coordination.

A key objective of the meeting is to support Member States in implementing the Arab Declaration on Belonging and Legal Identity, while fostering sustained collaboration among the League of Arab States, the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council, UNHCR and other relevant partners.

The workshop is expected to conclude with recommendations and follow-up actions to guide future cooperation, strengthen national implementation efforts and encourage further engagement by Member States in advancing the regional framework.

Through this joint initiative, the participating organizations reaffirm the importance of regional solidarity and coordinated action to ensure that all individuals, particularly children, can establish their legal identity, enjoy their rights and develop a stronger sense of belonging.