CGAP 2026
The Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH met from 3 to 6 March 2026. The meeting was attended by 560 participants, representing 80 HCCH Members, 12 non-Member States, seven intergovernmental organisations, and 12 international non-governmental organisations, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau (PB). The Conclusions & Decisions adopted by CGAP will be available shortly.
During the meeting, CGAP welcomed the Final Report of the Working Group (WG) on the Feasibility of a possible Convention on the Recognition of Judgments on Legal Parentage, which concludes the work of this WG. CGAP also noted the Report of the Chair of the Working Group on matters related to jurisdiction in transnational civil or commercial litigation. CGAP mandated the PB to analyse the responses received through the Public Consultation and submit the analysis to CGAP by the end of September 2026, so as to allow sufficient time in advance of CGAP 2027. At its 2027 meeting, CGAP will confirm whether or not to advance the Jurisdiction Project to a Special Commission, or decide on any other outcome of the Project.
CGAP mandated the establishment of a WG on a potential future convention on cross-border recognition and enforcement of protection orders. It also mandated the continuation of the work of several ongoing EGs and WGs, inviting the PB to convene additional meetings of various WGs and EGs, including the EG on CBDCs, the EG on Carbon Markets, the EG on Digital Tokens, the WG on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption, and the EG on International Transfer of Maintenance Funds. CGAP also approved a project proposal template for new projects.
CGAP mandated the PB to continue preparations for the Sixth Meeting of the SC on the practical operation of the 1993 Adoption Convention. CGAP moreover welcomed the announcement of the 14th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), the organisation of one or two additional virtual workshops on post-adoption services, and the holding of online meetings on the operation of the 1965 Service, 1970 Evidence, and 1980 Access to Justice Conventions for Central Authorities and on the use of technology.
A number of documents and tools intended to assist with the implementation and operation of the HCCH Conventions were approved by CGAP. This included the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention; the Good Practices document relevant to the 1965 Service, 1970 Evidence, and 1980 Access to Justice Conventions; the Model Forms pertaining to Chapter II of the 1970 Evidence Convention, as well as the Guidelines for Completing the Model Forms; and the Note on the Application and Interpretation of Article 2 of the Convention of 1 July 1985 on the Law Applicable to Trusts and on their Recognition and on the Institutions Analogous to Trusts. CGAP moreover mandated the Forms Working Group to begin its work on the development of several recommended model forms under the 2007 Child Support Convention.
CGAP elected Ms Yael Weiner (Israel) as its new Chair and thanked the outgoing Chair, Judge Marcelo De Nardi (Brazil), for his service and dedication to the HCCH throughout his tenure.