Further APEC support for Hague Conventions

Following the success of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Workshop on the Ease of Doing Business through Hague Conventions, held in August 2014, the significance of the work of the Hague Conference on Private International Law has been further recognised in both the 2014 Leaders' Declaration, as well as the 2014 Joint Ministerial Statement.

The Leaders' Declaration is entitled "Beijing Agenda for an Integrated, Innovative and Interconnected Asia-Pacific" and was issued by the Leaders of all 21 of the APEC member economies at the conclusion of the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and refers to the Hague Conference at paragraph 32:

"We recognize the role of internationally recognized private international law instruments such as the Hague Conventions in facilitating cross-border trade and investment, enhancing ease of doing business, and fostering effective enforcement of contracts and efficient settlement of business disputes. We encourage wider use of these instruments which would contribute to APEC's regional integration, connectivity and structural reform agenda."

In addition, the Joint Ministerial Statement issued by the APEC Ministerial Meeting also notes, at paragraph 48:

"We welcome the joint efforts of the [Economic Committee] and the Asia Pacific Regional Office of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), as well as other private international law organizations such as the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to build awareness of private international law instruments to facilitate cross-border trade and investment, enhance ease of doing business, and foster effective enforcement of contracts and efficient settlement of business disputes."

The Permanent Bureau very much welcomes these developments, which are indicative of increasing collaboration between the Hague Conference and APEC.

The full versions of both documents (in English only) are available on the APEC website. For the Leaders' Declaration see: < http://www.apec.org/Meeting-Papers/Leaders-Declarations/2014/2014_aelm.aspx > and for the Joint Ministerial Statement, see < http://www.apec.org/Meeting-Papers/Ministerial-Statements/Annual/2014/2014_amm.aspx >.