13th International Forum
on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP)

Astana, Kazakhstan 21-22 October 2024

The e-APP is an integral part of the operation of the HCCH 1961 Apostille Convention. The e-APP is designed to ensure the practical, effective and secure operation of the Apostille Convention in an environment of constant technological development.

The International Forum on the e-APP gathers experts and stakeholders from around the world and provides a unique international platform for governments, organisations, and the private sector to learn more about the benefits of the e-APP, to promote its effective implementation, and to discuss the latest developments in relation to the e-APP worldwide.

The e-APP Forum will be held for the first time in Central Asia and will be jointly organized by the HCCH, the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan, and the Maqsut Narikbayev University. Participants are encouraged to attend this event in person, if possible.

Presentations:
  • Session 1:
    • The e-APP: an overview and global update
      Ms Melissa Ford - Secretary (Diplomat Lawyer)
      HCCH - Permanent Bureau
    • Expert Panel I: The e-Register
      • Brazil
        Ms Ana Lucia Andrade de Aguiar - Federal Judge, Assistant Judge at the National Council of Justice
        Mr Marcos De Paola - IT Director at the Notarial College of Brazil
      • Singapore
        Ms Melissa Goh - Director (Trust Services)
        Singapore Academy of Law
  • Session 2:
  • Session 3:
    • The role of the Permanent Bureau in the implementation of the e-APP
      Mr Caio Gomes de Freitas - Legal Officer (Transnational Litigation & Apostille Division)
      HCCH - Permanent Bureau
    • Expert Panel II: New implementers of the e-APP
      • Greece
        Mr Andreas Dimitriou - Director of GOV.GR
        Coordination Agency, Ministry of Digital Governance
      • Philippines
        Mr Manuel Ayap - Foreign Service Officer
        Department of Foreign Affairs
      • Singapore
        Mr Chng Ken-Wei - Deputy Director
        Digital Utilities Program Office
        Mr Joe Lim - Deputy Director (Project Management)
        LawNet Technology Services Pte Ltd
      • El Salvador - in Spanish only
        H.E. Ms Cindy Mariella Portal- Vice-Minister
        Diaspora and Human Mobility of El Salvador
  • Session 4:
    • Expert Panel III: Implementation, promotion, education
      • Brazil
        Ms Ana Lucia Andrade de Aguiar - Federal Judge, Assistant Judge at the National Council of Justice
        Mr Marcos De Paola - IT Director at the Notarial College of Brazil
      • Belgium
        Ms Julie Remy Spiltoir - Attaché to the Directorate-General
        Consular Affairs of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
      • Chile
        Mr Sergio Andrés Solis Soto - Head of the Legal Consular Advisory Department
        General Directorate of Consular Affairs, Immigration and Chileans Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
        Ms Carmen Rosa Abarca Poblete
        Department of Legalization, General Directorate of Consular Affairs, Immigration and Chileans Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
      • Israel
        Mr Itai Apter - Director
        International Civil Affairs, Office of the Deputy Attorney-General (International Law), Ministry of Justice
    • Expert Panel IV: Emerging trends and vision for the future
      • Korea (Republic of)
        Mr Hyoung-Goo Kang - Professor at the Hanyang University
      • Colombia
        H.E. Mr Héctor Isidro Arenas Neira - Ambassador of Colombia to Russia
  • Further contributions
    • Venezuela
      Mr Julio Villasmil – Technology Manager
      Mr Willmer Santiago – Legalization Coordinator