13th International Forum
on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP)
Astana, Kazakhstan 21-22 October 2024
The e-APP is an integral part of the operation of the HCCH 1961 Apostille Convention. The e-APP is designed to ensure the practical, effective and secure operation of the Apostille Convention in an environment of constant technological development.
The International Forum on the e-APP gathers experts and stakeholders from around the world and provides a unique international platform for governments, organisations, and the private sector to learn more about the benefits of the e-APP, to promote its effective implementation, and to discuss the latest developments in relation to the e-APP worldwide.
The e-APP Forum will be held for the first time in Central Asia and will be jointly organized by the HCCH, the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan, and the Maqsut Narikbayev University. Participants are encouraged to attend this event in person, if possible.
- Welcome & Opening Address
- Session 1:
- The e-APP: an overview and global update
Ms Melissa Ford - Secretary (Diplomat Lawyer)
HCCH - Permanent Bureau - Expert Panel I: The e-Register
- Session 2:
- e-APP implementation: the experience of the UK
Mr Danial Smith - Digital and Change Manager
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - Technology design and the e-APP
Mr Christophe Blanchi - Executive Director
DONA Foundation - e-APP implementation: the experience of Kentucky (US)
Mr Michael Wilson - Director of Business Services & Deputy General Counsel
for Kentucky Secretary of State Michael G. Adams - e-APP implementation: the experience of Montana (US)
Ms Lori Hamm - Notary & Certifications Administrator
Montana Secretary of State’s Office
- Session 3:
- The role of the Permanent Bureau in the implementation of the e-APP
Mr Caio Gomes de Freitas - Legal Officer (Transnational Litigation & Apostille Division)
HCCH - Permanent Bureau - Expert Panel II: New implementers of the e-APP
- Greece
Mr Andreas Dimitriou - Director of GOV.GR
Coordination Agency, Ministry of Digital Governance - Philippines
Mr Manuel Ayap - Foreign Service Officer
Department of Foreign Affairs - Singapore
Mr Chng Ken-Wei - Deputy Director
Digital Utilities Program Office
Mr Joe Lim - Deputy Director (Project Management)
LawNet Technology Services Pte Ltd - El Salvador - in Spanish only
H.E. Ms Cindy Mariella Portal- Vice-Minister
Diaspora and Human Mobility of El Salvador
- Session 4:
- Expert Panel III: Implementation, promotion, education
- Brazil
Ms Ana Lucia Andrade de Aguiar - Federal Judge, Assistant Judge at the National Council of Justice
Mr Marcos De Paola - IT Director at the Notarial College of Brazil - Belgium
Ms Julie Remy Spiltoir - Attaché to the Directorate-General
Consular Affairs of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation - Chile
Mr Sergio Andrés Solis Soto - Head of the Legal Consular Advisory Department
General Directorate of Consular Affairs, Immigration and Chileans Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ms Carmen Rosa Abarca Poblete
Department of Legalization, General Directorate of Consular Affairs, Immigration and Chileans Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Israel
Mr Itai Apter - Director
International Civil Affairs, Office of the Deputy Attorney-General (International Law), Ministry of Justice
- Session 5
- Expert Panel IV: Emerging trends and vision for the future
- Korea (Republic of)
Mr Hyoung-Goo Kang - Professor at the Hanyang University - Colombia
H.E. Mr Héctor Isidro Arenas Neira - Ambassador of Colombia to Russia - Wrap-up of the 13th International e-APP Forum
- Closing Address
- Further contributions
- Venezuela
Mr Julio Villasmil – Technology Manager
Mr Willmer Santiago – Legalization Coordinator
