Belize accedes to the 1996 Child Protection Convention
Today, 12 December 2024, Belize 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 Belize, the Convention now has 56 Contracting Parties. It will enter into...
Fourth Meeting of the Working Group on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption
From 3 to 6 December 2024, the Working Group (WG) on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption met for the fourth time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, was attended by 39 delegates and other experts, representing 16 HCCH Members, three non-Member Contracting Parties, and three Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate, the WG...
Meetings of the Working Groups on the Practical Handbooks and Country Profiles for the 1965 Service and 1970 Evidence Conventions
In October and November 2024, the Working Group (WG) on the Practical Handbook and Country Profile for the 1965 Service Convention (Service WG) and the WG on the Practical Handbook and Country Profile for the 1970 Evidence Convention (Evidence WG) met online to finalise the Practical Handbooks and Country Profiles in light of the discussions held at the July 2024 meeting of the Special Commission...
Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group
On 27 November 2024, a meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 43 delegates and other experts, representing 21 HCCH Members and one Observer, as well as by members of the PB. The ACWG continued discussing and finalising updates to the Country Profile on the 2007 Child Support...
Informal brainstorming session on future meetings of the Special Commission on the 1980 Child Abduction and 1996 Child Protection Conventions
From 18 to 21 November 2024, an informal brainstorming session on future meetings of the Special Commission (SC) on the 1980 Child Abduction and 1996 Child Protection Conventions was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. It was attended by over 80 participants representing 29 Members, as well as by members of the PB. As mandated by the Council on General Affairs and...
Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Africa
From 13 to 15 November 2024, the Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Africa (Regional Workshop) was held in Lomé (Togo). It was attended by approximately 60 participants representing 11 Contracting Parties to the 1993 Adoption Convention, one non-Contracting Party, one intergovernmental...
North Macedonia ratifies the 2005 Choice of Court Convention
Today, 21 November 2024, the Republic of North Macedonia deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention). With the ratification of North Macedonia, 36 States and the European Union are bound by the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. The Convention will enter into force for North Macedonia on 1 March 2025....
Second Working Meeting of the Experts’ Group on Central Bank Digital Currencies
From 12 to 14 November 2024, the Experts’ Group (EG) on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) held its second working meeting. The meeting was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. It was attended by 25 delegates and other experts, representing 10 HCCH Members and 3 Observers, as well as by members of the PB of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate (C&Ds No 9-10...
Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group
On 13 November 2024, a meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 48 delegates and other experts, representing 23 HCCH Members and one Observer, as well as by members of the PB. Pursuant to its mandate, the ACWG continued its work as a forum for discussion of issues pertaining...
Third Meeting of the Working Group on Parentage / Surrogacy
From 4 to 8 November 2024, the Working Group (WG) on Parentage / Surrogacy met for the third time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, was attended by 47 delegates and other experts, representing 25 HCCH Members and three Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate, the WG continued its consideration of draft provisions for one new instrument on...