BUILDING STATELESSNESS-SENSITIVE ID SYSTEMS 17 The World Bank supports the development of inclusive and trusted ID and DPI ecosystems that expand access to services and economic opportunities. This engagement is aligned with global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (including SDG 16.9 on legal identity for all) and is informed by frameworks including the Principles on Identification for Sustainable Development (ID4D, 2021), the Principles for Digital Development, and the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework (UNDP, 2024). Unfortunately, millions of stateless people may be left out of foundational ID systems or made more vulnerable by ID-related policies and procedures. There are many reasons for this, including because stateless people may face eligibility or other barriers to register in and use ID systems. They may also be provided with an ID that creates additional vulnerabilities by making their statelessness visible in settings where it may subject them to discrimination. As the momentum around DPI accelerates, there is an urgent need to identify practices that mitigate the risks and maximize benefits to stateless people to the greatest extent possible. By making inclusivity an important goal, ID practitioners and development actors may be able to leverage work on foundational ID systems to help identify stateless people, improve their socio-economic situation, and contribute to global efforts to prevent and reduce statelessness itself. This publication identifies key questions to be considered during the development of ID systems that may affect stateless populations, including: • Is there a stateless population present, and if so, what is their situation (e.g., what is the legal and policy environment like for stateless people)? • How can the rollout of new or improved ID systems be used as an opportunity to help identify stateless people and resolve their situation, as well as an opportunity to ensure that those with an entitlement to a nationality but without proof are supported to obtain nationality documentation? • How can the rollout of new or improved ID systems be used as an opportunity to help stateless people included in the ID system so that they benefit from access to rights and services they’re entitled to? • How can identification and development practitioners promote international standards that help identify and protect stateless people and prevent and reduce statelessness?