Resolution adopted by the Seventeenth Session of the Hague Conference on private international law in the presence of the Ministers of Justice and High Representatives of the Member States of the Hague Conference meeting at The Hague, 19 May 1993 on the occasion of the celebration of the Centenary of the Conference.

The Seventeenth Session, in the presence of the Ministers of Justice and High Representatives of the States Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, meeting at The Hague on 19 May 1993 on the occasion of the celebration of the Centenary of the Conference,

Considering that according to its Statute, the Conference's purpose is to work for the progressive unification of the rules of private international law,

Considering the unique, broad and important work accomplished by the Conference and the effectiveness of its working methods confirmed by the fact that since the Seventh Session in 1951 thirty-one Conventions have been drawn up,

Confirming that the Conference's mission is to facilitate both the relationships between private parties across international borders and international legal transactions,

Recognizing that the Conference also is developing into a worldwide centre in the service of international judicial and administrative co-operation in the field of private law, and particularly in the area of child protection,

Considering however that it is essential that the Conference continue to be effectively supported by its Member States within their Countries and in other international organizations,

Congratulates the Conference on its contributions to the field of private international law over the past century;

Urges Member States both to maintain and enhance their support for the Conference and to encourage non-Member States to join the Conference;

Recommends to the Member States that they

  1. explore and develop mechanisms in consultation with the Permanent Bureau to encourage wider adherence to Hague Conventions;
  2. take the appropriate measures to publicize the existence and the operation of the Conventions;
  3. work in co-operation with the Permanent Bureau to develop effective mechanisms to implement the Conventions;
  4. co-ordinate more fully their positions on private international law in various international bodies involved with unification or harmonization of questions of private law.