Viet Nam accedes to the 1961 Apostille Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been informed that, on 31 December 2025, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). With the accession of Viet Nam, the 1961 Apostille Convention now has 129 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for Argentina
On 1 January 2026, 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) entered into force for the Argentine Republic following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 18 September 2025. The 1996 Child Protection...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for the Republic of Moldova
On 1 January 2026, 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) entered into force for the Republic of Moldova following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 11 March 2025. The 1996 Child Protection Convention...
New e-Country Profiles for key HCCH Conventions now available
Third Post Adoption Services Workshop
In March 2023, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH endorsed the holding, both in States of origin and receiving States, of State-led virtual workshops on post-adoption services. Following this meeting, a Steering Committee for the organisation of virtual workshops on post-adoption services (Steering Committee) was established. The first virtual workshop was held in 2023,...
Book Launch - The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements: A Commentary
On 11 December 2025, the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH hosted a book launch for the publication of The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements: A Commentary, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. The book is co-authored by Professor Gilles Cuniberti (University of Luxembourg), Associate Professor Brooke Marshall (University of...
Third meeting of the Working Group dedicated to the Good Practices document relevant to the 1965 Service, 1970 Evidence, and 1980 Access to Justice Conventions
On 1 December 2025, the third meeting of the Working Group established to finalise the Good Practices document relevant to the 1965 Service, 1970 Evidence, and 1980 Access to Justice Conventions (WG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) of the HCCH. The meeting had close to 30 registered delegates representing 17 HCCH Members, in addition to members of the PB. Pursuant to its...
Third meeting of the Experts’ Group on Carbon Markets
From 2 to 4 December 2025, the Experts’ Group (EG) on Carbon Markets met for the third time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, had over 50 registered delegates and other experts, representing 19 HCCH Members and seven Observers, in addition to members of the Permanent Bureau (PB) of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate (C&D No 18 of CGAP 2025), the EG made further progress on the study...
Indonesia applies to become a Member of the HCCH
Today, 4 December 2025, the Republic of Indonesia applied to become a Member of the HCCH. At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, depositary of the HCCH Conventions, H.E. Mr L. Amrih Jinangkung, Director General of Legal Affairs and International Treaties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, presented Indonesia’s official request for...
Fifth Meeting of the Working Group on Parentage / Surrogacy
From 10 to 14 November 2025, the Working Group (WG) on Parentage / Surrogacy met for the fifth time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, had over 45 registered delegates and other experts, representing 24 HCCH Members and three Observers, in addition to members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate, the WG continued its consideration of draft provisions for one new...