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The Government has published in the gazette today (January 18) the Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) Order 2008 to update the list of Contracting States in the Adoption Ordinance (Cap.290) for implementing the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Five new Contracting States are added to the list - the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Cuba, Republic of Armenia, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United States. This is following the accession of Kenya, Cuba, Armenia and Cambodia to the Convention, and the USA¡¦s ratification of the same, in 2007.
The Convention sets out, inter alia, a framework for international cooperation in intercountry adoptions, and its implementation in Hong Kong is governed by the Adoption Ordinance. Upon commencement of the order, adoptions between the HKSAR and the new Contracting States will be arranged in accordance with the Convention.
The order was made by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare pursuant to section 20D of the Adoption Ordinance. It will be tabled in the Legislative Council next Wednesday (January 23) and will take effect on April 1.
Ends/Friday, January 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:00
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