Conference “15 Years of the HCCH Washington Declaration: Progress and Perspectives on International Family Relocation”
From 2 to 4 April 2025, the conference “15 Years of the HCCH Washington Declaration: Progress and Perspectives on International Family Relocation” was held at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., United States of America. The conference was jointly organised by the Embassy of Canada, the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), and the HCCH. This conference took place...
1961 Apostille Convention enters into force for Bangladesh
On 30 March 2025, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 29 July 2024. The 1961 Apostille Convention has 127 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available...
Third Working Meeting of the Experts’ Group on Central Bank Digital Currencies
From 24 to 26 March 2025, the Experts’ Group (EG) on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) held its third working meeting. The meeting was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. It was attended by 29 delegates and other experts, representing 12 HCCH Members and four Observers, as well as by members of the PB of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate (C&Ds No...
2007 Child Support Convention enters into force for the Dominican Republic
On 23 March 2025, the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention) entered into force for the Dominican Republic following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 21 March 2024. At present, 53 States and the European Union are bound by the 2007 Child Support Convention. More information on...
The Republic of Moldova accedes to the 1996 Child Protection Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been notified that, on 11 March 2025, the Republic of Moldova deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (1996 Child Protection Convention). With the accession of the Republic of...
Sixth Meeting of the Working Group established to complete the Country Profile and work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention
On 19 March 2025, the sixth meeting of the Working Group (WG) established to complete the Country Profile and work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 21 delegates representing 12 HCCH Members, as well as by members of the PB. During the...
Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Asia
From 11 to 13 March 2025, the Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Asia (Regional Workshop) was held in Manila (Philippines). It was attended by 72 participants representing eight Contracting Parties to the 1993 Adoption Convention, two non-Contracting Parties, one intergovernmental organisation, and one...
Bahrain accedes to the 1970 Evidence and 2005 Choice of Court Conventions
The Permanent Bureau has been notified that, on 13 March 2025, the Kingdom of Bahrain deposited its instruments of accession to the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention) and to the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention). With the accession of Bahrain, the 1970...
CGAP 2025 — Conclusions & Decisions now available!
The Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH met from 4 to 7 March 2025. The meeting was attended by over 491 participants, representing 75 HCCH Members, four non-Member States, five intergovernmental organisations, nine international non-governmental organisations, and members of the Permanent Bureau (PB). The Conclusions & Decisions adopted by CGAP are now available in...
CGAP 2025 — New Members, ratifications, and signatures
On 5 March 2025, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH welcomed the Republic of Rwanda as a new Member of the Organisation. It also witnessed the Republic of Guatemala apply for Membership, the Republic of Costa Rica sign the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention), and the Republic of Colombia join the Convention of 23...