The overarching aim of the 2030 Agenda “to reach the furthest behind first” and “leave no one behind” clearly applies to those who experience the many negative consequences of not being recognized as citizens of any country. The social and economic exclusion of stateless persons has impacts not only upon the stateless themselves, but also on their families and communities and the State itself. The COVID pandemic demonstrated that the exclusion of population groups from national health services creates public health risks for surrounding communities; exclusion from education deprives a State of access to a potential pool of trained talent and potential contributions in taxation and skills. In extreme cases, the multigenerational exclusion of stateless persons can create threats to the stability of society itself, and to international peace and security. It is clear that the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without addressing the situation of stateless persons. What needs to be done? Pending a definitive solution to their statelessness, i.e. the grant of nationality, States need to ensure that stateless persons can fully exercise their human rights. States should align their national laws, policies and practices with international human rights standards, such as the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. This includes granting stateless persons access to services like health care, education, employment and others. Stateless persons and those at risk also need to be included in the development planning of States, while development agencies and others need to support States in these efforts. Efforts to achieve inclusive national systems and services must consider stateless persons and those at risk of statelessness. How can UNHCR support? • • • Advocate with States to align national laws with the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and other international human rights standards, to ensure that stateless persons are able to exercise their human rights and access services, including health care and education, and employment opportunities. Provide national authorities with technical assistance and capacity-building to strengthen their capacity to identify stateless persons and ensure that their rights are respected and that they have access to services. In support of States’ efforts on development, work with other UN agencies and development actors to ensure that stateless persons and those at risk of • • statelessness are included in development planning and programming, and advocate for stateless persons and those at risk of statelessness to be included in national systems. Conduct awareness-raising and information campaigns in collaboration with governments and civil society, including stateless-led organizations, to inform stateless persons of their rights and the services available to them. Facilitate dialogue and exchange of good practices between States, to ensure that stateless persons enjoy their rights, including through the Global Alliance to End Statelessness. RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS • • • • • • 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons Universal Declaration of Human Rights International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities UNHCR Executive Committee, Conclusion on identification, prevention and reduction of statelessness and protection of stateless persons, N.106 – entire document RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS • • • • • • SDG 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere. SDG 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. SDG 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. SDG 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. SDG 10. SDG 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries. SDG 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. GLOBAL ACTION PLAN TO END STATELESSNESS 2.0 35