SUMMARY The present Note provides guidance to the UN system on addressing statelessness by outlining the guiding principles and the policy framework for action. The UN engagement in addressing statelessness should be guided by these seven principles that support the development, promotion and implementation of international norms relating to statelessness. In addition to the seven guiding principles, the Note presents four concrete interrelated action approaches on how the UN system can improve its coordinated response to statelessness. In conclusion, the Note suggests required institutional arrangements for various actors within the UN system. The policy framework for action presented in the Note is the result of an assessment of international legal standards and the experience of the UN in addressing statelessness to date. A. Guiding Principles 1. 2. 3. 4. Base action on international norms and standards related to nationality and statelessness Recognize the central role of States and work with affected populations and civil society Promote and support action to prevent statelessness Respect the human rights of stateless persons and provide for their specific protection needs 5. Promote the acquisition of nationality as the primary solution 6. Recognize and redress discrimination as a common cause and consequence of statelessness 7. Guarantee gender equality in nationality laws and their implementation to prevent statelessness B. Addressing Statelessness 1. 2. 3. 4. Identification of stateless persons Prevention of statelessness Reduction of statelessness Protection of stateless persons C. UN System Arrangements The UN General Assembly has entrusted the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with a mandate relating to the identification, prevention, and reduction of statelessness and protection of stateless persons. However, this Guidance Note affirms that all UN entities system-wide must increase their efforts to address statelessness. The UN should tackle both the causes and consequences of statelessness as a key priority within the Organization’s broader efforts to strengthen the rule of law. -1-