Twenty-first century technological innovation has created unprecedented opportunities to benefit individuals without official identification.

The vast majority of countries prohibit child marriage, yet some 15 million girls are still married before age 18 every year. The causes of child marriage are multifaceted and complex—including factors such as poverty, culture, and gender and social norms.  Birth certificates and effective ID systems can make it easier to enforce laws that prohibit this practice—and give young girls a chance at a better future

The global identification gap is a significant challenge for sustainable development. The new Principles on Identification are an important step to closing it. The principles were developed jointly by more than 16 global organizations in a cooperative and consultative process to coordinate efforts to change this reality for people without official identification.