Morocco has been unanimously chosen to host the regional office for Africa of The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), marking a significant recognition of the country’s commitment to international law and its leadership on the African continent.
The decision was made during the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP), held from March 4 to 7 at the headquarters of The Hague Academy. The event brought together 452 delegates from 75 HCCH member states, 44 non-member states, and around 20 international organizations.
The announcement that Morocco—specifically Rabat—would host the regional office was met with enthusiasm. HCCH Secretary General Christophe Bernasconi, along with member states, praised Morocco’s initiative as both “generous and relevant,” highlighting its proactive role during the 2024 session.
The Moroccan delegation, led by Ambassador Mohamed Basri and including Rachid Ouadifi, Director of Civil Affairs and Legal and Judicial Professions at the Ministry of Justice, emphasized the country’s legal and institutional advancements. In particular, they showcased major legislative reforms, such as the revision of the Family Code, which focuses on strengthening the rights of women and children.
The new regional office will be instrumental in expanding HCCH’s influence in Africa and facilitating cooperation between African legal systems and private international law. It will also play a crucial role in promoting HCCH conventions, acting as a strategic link between Africa and the Arab world.
With its extensive legal expertise and strong partnerships with several African nations, Morocco intends to use this opportunity to train judges, legal experts, and practitioners across the continent. The initiative aims to foster the exchange of best practices and enhance legal capacities on a broader scale.
The selection of Morocco for this role underscores the trust it has earned on the international stage. It reaffirms the country’s dedication to multilateral institutions and strengthens its African vision, demonstrated by numerous South-South cooperation initiatives.
By securing this regional office, Morocco joins Buenos Aires (Latin America) and Hong Kong (Asia-Pacific) as a key hub for HCCH’s global outreach. This marks a major step toward reinforcing the organization’s presence in Africa and advancing a more harmonized and accessible legal framework across the region.
