Today the United States of America signed the Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children.

This agreement ensures international recognition and enforcement of custody and visitation orders, complements and reinforces the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and contains provisions addressing cooperation on key issues such as runaway children and the cross-border placement of children in foster families or institutional care.

Signing this Convention reaffirms the deep commitment of the United States to protecting the rights and welfare of children around the world. Our country is also a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The U.S. Senate also recently approved the Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.

Going forward, the State Department will work closely with Congress, other Federal agencies, and state and local officials to address implementation of the Convention in the United States. And we look forward to working with the Hague Conference on Private International Law and other countries to implement it around the world.