Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) (Amendment) Order 2026 Gazetted Today

Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) (Amendment) Order 2026 gazetted

The Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) (Amendment) Order 2026 made by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare under section 20D of the Adoption Ordinance (Cap. 290) was published in the Gazette today (April 30).

The Amendment Order seeks to add six Contracting States to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption to the Schedule to the Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) Order (Cap. 290 sub. leg. C) so that the Convention applies to an adoption between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and any of these six Contracting States in relation to an application made under the Convention. The six Contracting States are the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Botswana, the Republic of the Congo, Republic of Korea, the Republic of Niger, and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. In accordance with the Convention, the Convention has had effect between the HKSAR and these six Contracting States since the following dates:

The Republic of Angola

July 1, 2024

The Republic of Botswana

March 1, 2023

The Republic of the Congo

April 1, 2020

Republic of Korea

October 1, 2025

The Republic of Niger

September 1, 2021

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

February 1, 2021

The Convention sets out, inter alia, a framework for international co-operation in intercountry adoptions. The implementation of the Convention in the HKSAR is governed by the Adoption Ordinance. The Convention is currently in force in 107 states.

The Labour and Welfare Bureau, Photo by Bastille Post

Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band Annual Concert "Peter and the Wolf | Music Speaks, Stories Unfold" to be held May 30

The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band (HKYSB) of the Music Office (MO) under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold its annual concert entitled "Peter and the Wolf | Music Speaks, Stories Unfold" at 7.30pm on May 30 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall.

The concert will be conducted by MO instructors Lee Sing-wan and Kevin Ling. The HKYSB will perform a band arrangement of the renowned children's musical tale "Peter and the Wolf", with radio programme presenter Eunice Chow serving as guest narrator.

Other programme highlights include the vibrant melodies of the cinematic scores of "The Wizard of Oz"; a dramatic portrayal of the biblical "Noah's Ark"; the heroic Chinese legend "Hou Yi Shooting the Sun"; and the magical and humorous "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".

The HKYSB was formed in 1978 with the aim of nurturing young musicians and arousing greater interest in symphonic band music in Hong Kong. The Band currently has over 60 members and recruits annually by open audition. It has performed in Hong Kong and overseas, winning much acclaim.

Tickets priced at $80, $100 and $130 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 1003 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.

Photo source: lcsd.gov.hk