Council on General Affairs and Policy of the Hague Conference

The UIHJ was represented by its president, Leo Netten. The meeting took place at the Hague Academy of International Law, at the Peace Palace of the Hague (The Netherlands) in presence of over sixty countries members of the Hague Conference as well as observers.

It was the first participation of Christophe Bernasconi to a Council of General Affairs and Policy in his capacity of Secretary General of the Hague Conference. He mentioned that three countries had recently joined the Organisation: Viet Nam, Burkina Faso and Zambia. The Hague Conference has now 76 Members as well as one Regional Economic Integration Organisation (The European Union). Four new countries have filed for admission: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Tunisia and Singapore.

The agenda was particularly full. Numerous topics were discussed. The work relating to possible new instruments included recognition and enforcement of foreign civil protection orders, recognition and enforcement of voluntary cross-border agreements, and judgments projects.
 
A report on post-convention activities was addressed. It included:
-    International protection of children, family and property relations;
-    International legal co-operation and litigation;
-    International commercial and finance law;
-    Opportunity for members to announce progress on implementation / operation of any Hague Convention

The governance of the Hague Convention was broadly approached, e.g. planning and conducting meetings, organization of the work, endorsement procedure for Handbooks, Guides and other publications, technical assistance and co-operation with other international organisations or entities.

The decisions on the work Programme for 2014-2015 were presented before the adoption of conclusions and recommendations.

http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=events.details&year=2014&varevent=358