Visually-impaired version 
The 13th International Forum on the Electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP) took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 21 to 22 October 2024. This was a historic occasion as it was the first in-person meeting since 2019. Over 300 people from a variety of backgrounds attended the event, which was organised by Maqsut Narikbayev University and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Among them were representatives of 70 Contracting Parties and 3 non-Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention.
Dr. Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), opened the forum, remarking on the significance of the e-APP in modernising document legalisation processes.
The forum highlighted the advantages of the e-APP, such as the launch of electronic Apostilles and e-Registers, which accelerate document verification. The practical and economic relevance of the Apostille Convention was emphasised by Dr. Bernasconi, who cited research suggesting that it saves all Contracting Parties almost half a billion euros annually.
During the forum, a variety of professionals shared their perspectives on the e-APP’s deployment and future. Participants took part in discussions about digital innovations that improve legal processes’ efficiency and accessibility. Experts from a number of nations, such as Chile, South Korea, Brazil, Greece, and many more were among the distinguished speakers.
The forum ended with a call to keep embracing technological development in order to increase the efficiency of the Apostille Convention. The future of international document legalisation depends on cooperation and knowledge exchange as countries seek to adopt the e-APP.
e-Apostille is an apostille issued in electronic form which bears an electronic signature with a digital certificate.