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It is with deep regret that the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law learned of the passing away of Professor Gonzalo Parra-Aranguren on 3 December 2016 at the age of 88. The Permanent Bureau expresses its deepest sympathy to Professor Parra-Aranguren’s family members.

Professor Parra-Aranguren had a longstanding relationship with the Hague Conference on Private International Law. He represented Venezuela from the Thirteenth session (1976-1977) to the Seventeenth session (1993) and participated in several other Special Commissions on children and family matters. As rapporteur of the Special Commission of the Seventeenth session to draft the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, he prepared the Preliminary Report (1992) and the Explanatory Report on this Convention.

A Professor of Private International Law at the Central University of Venezuela and the Andrés Bello Catholic University, Caracas, Professor Parra-Aranguren significantly contributed to the development of private international law globally. He taught the General Course on Private International Law at the Hague Academy of International Law (1988), gave lectures in various countries, and published several books and articles in the field. As one of the most respected international lawyers in Latin America, he held many important offices, including as Judge at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands, and as a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Professor Parra-Aranguren will be remembered at the Permanent Bureau for his longstanding involvement with the work of the Hague Conference and his significant contributions to the field of private international law.