Statement by International Adoption Working Group

February 24, 2010

The ad hoc International Adoption Working Group strongly encourages the Government of Nepal to act swiftly to strengthen the adoption process by implementing all 1993 Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption regulations, including implementing measures aimed at ensuring authenticity and accuracy of documents, promoting family preservation and, most importantly, safeguarding children's well-being. All of these recommendations are included in the recent Hague Conference on Private International Law - Mission to Nepal Report.

The Working Group is composed of representatives from the diplomatic missions of countries who have adoption agencies, both private and state-run, active or considering becoming active in Nepal. We support providing the Nepali Government technical assistance in this matter.

Note: This release has been issued by the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu on behalf of the ad hoc International Adoption Working Group. The following Embassies have signed on to this statement:

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.