INCADAT — New sponsors and upcoming improvements
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the expansion of its partnership with leading law firms from across the world in support of the HCCH’s International Child Abduction Database (INCADAT), the only global, free legal database on international child abduction law. Offered as part of the HCCH’s post-Convention work, INCADAT facilitates the research of cases within the scope of...
Fifth and sixth meetings of the WG on Article 33 of the 1996 Child Protection Convention
On 21 October and 4 November 2026, the fifth and sixth meetings of the Working Group (WG) on the operation of Article 33 of the 1996 Child Protection Convention were held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB). The meetings had approximately 25 registered delegates and other experts, representing 15 HCCH Members, one Observer non-Member Contracting Party, and one Observer organisation, in...
Fourth Meeting of the Experts’ Group on Digital Tokens
From 26 to 29 October 2026, the Experts’ Group (EG) on Digital Tokens met for the fourth time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, had approximately 60 registered delegates and other experts, representing 16 HCCH Members and eight Observers, in addition to members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate (C&D Nos 13-14 of CGAP 2026), the EG made further progress on...
Montenegro accedes to the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been informed that, on 13 October 2026, Montenegro deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (2000 Protection of Adults Convention). With this accession, the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention now has 17 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for Montenegro on 1 August 2027. More...
The Republic of Moldova accedes to the 2007 Child Support Convention
On 16 September 2026, the Republic of Moldova deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention). With this accession, 56 States and the European Union are bound by the 2007 Child Support Convention. It will enter into force for the Republic of Moldova on...
Qatar becomes 95th Member of the HCCH and 160th Connected Party
Today, 17 September 2026, the State of Qatar deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute of the HCCH, thus becoming its 95th Member. At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, depositary of the HCCH Statute and Conventions, Qatar was represented by H.E. Dr Mutlaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of the Netherlands,...
Sixth Meeting of the Experts’ Group on Central Bank Digital Currencies
From 1 to 4 September 2026, the Experts’ Group (EG) on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) held its sixth working meeting. The meeting, held in hybrid format, had over 35 registered delegates and other experts, representing 13 HCCH Members and seven Observers, in addition to members of the Permanent Bureau (PB) of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate (C&D No 10 of CGAP 2026), the EG...
Publication of the Note on the Application and Interpretation of Article 2 of the 1985 Trusts Convention and on the Institutions Analogous to Trusts
The Permanent Bureau (PB) of the HCCH is pleased to announce the publication of the Note on the Application and Interpretation of Article 2 of the 1985 Trusts Convention and on the Institutions Analogous to Trusts (Note). The 1985 Trusts Convention specifies the law applicable to trusts and governs the recognition of trusts in the Contracting Parties. The Note is intended to serve as...
Publication of Vol. XXVIII of the Judges' Newsletter on International Child Protection
The Permanent Bureau (PB) is pleased to announce the publication of Vol. XXVIII / Spring-Summer 2026 of the Judges' Newsletter on International Child Protection (Judges’ Newsletter). The Judges’ Newsletter provides information on developments relating to the HCCH Children’s Conventions, with a view to facilitating judicial cooperation in the field of international...
Indonesia becomes 94th Member of the HCCH
Today, 11 August 2026, the Republic of Indonesia deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute of the HCCH, thus becoming its 94th Member. At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, depositary of the HCCH Conventions, Indonesia was represented by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Mr Ricky Suhendar, Director General of...