7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This round of the Survey has confirmed the findings of the previous two rounds, revealing that Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian individuals, especially the internally displaced from Kosovo and Metohija, face higher risk of statelessness. As these persons are unable to exercise their rights on a daily basis, there is a clear need to continue working to overcome the procedural and legal constraints that affect them. The UNHCR has been actively supporting the MoPALG, the institution directly tasked with civil registers, and other stakeholders involved in the regulation of this issue. The 2012 MoU between the UNHCR, MoPALG, and Office of the Ombudsman has greatly facilitated the implementation of new laws and helped harmonise the practices of various public authorities, which has reduced the RAE population at risk of statelessness living in informal settlements by slightly more than 1,100 - a major improvement of as much as 42 percent relative to 2015. The MoU was extended in October 2019, and the activities envisaged under it ought to address the remaining issues faced by persons at risk of statelessness. This progress reveals that Serbia has dedicated much attention to addressing this issue, together with the UNHCR and human rights NGOs. Nevertheless, the number of undocumented persons and who are often marginalised and difficult to reach means there is a room for more efforts to enhance the position of this community and reduce the incidence of statelessness risk in Serbia. It is worth noting that persons at risk of statelessness are particularly vulnerable, even within their communities and settlements, as measured by all demographic and socio-economic criteria. This includes: 1) persons with below-average educational attainment; 2) persons who live in households that are both larger and poorer than the average; 3) one-half of the persons originating from Kosovo and Metohija or a neighbouring country; 4) persons who are more likely to live in slums or collective centres; 5) fewer than one-third of this population can afford food and personal hygiene products; and 6) the Serbian language is less likely to be used in these households, which can pose an additional obstacle for communicating with them and hinder their integration. The Survey was conducted on a sample of 1,807 households living in informal settlements throughout Serbia, excluding Kosovo and Metohija. These settlements are home to a total of 9,218 persons. The Survey covered 56 municipalities and towns throughout Serbia with a larger proportion of the Roma population than the national average according to the 2011 census. The findings reveal that informal settlements are currently home to 253 persons with no birth registration, 275 individuals who lack any nationality, 1,023 persons without identity cards, and 2,027 persons with no registered temporary or permanent residence. Using the methodology applied in previous rounds of the Survey, where indicators of statelessness risk were lack of birth certificate; lack of citizenship; and lack of identity card, would reduce the number of households at risk of statelessness to 128, and the number of persons in them at risk to 255. It is worth mentioning, however, that the number of individuals without registered permanent/temporary residence, PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION AND THE WAY FORWARD 55