In conclusion, the expectation is that, by 2021, all countries will have in place a comprehensive law aligned with international standards and that all African countries will have at least 70 per cent birth and 35 per cent death registration coverage, along with a significant improvement in the recording of cause of death. African countries should record significant advances in marriage and divorce registrations. During the same period, the vital statistics system in at least 40 countries would become efficient and innovative, underpinned by statistical methodologies benefitting from civil registration information. The resourcing of the five-year work plan and strengthening of the secretariat must therefore become a top priority in the implementation phase. In this regard, the recommendation is that the pan-African organizations set up a sustainable funding mechanism for the Africa Programme. vi