In a significant diplomatic stride, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen formally deposited the ‘Instrument of Accession’ at a ceremony in The Hague, marking Bangladesh’s entry into the Apostille Convention of 1961. This milestone, realized during a solemn event held at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, exempts Bangladeshi documents, already attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from further legalization abroad.
Dr. Momen addressed the gathering on Monday, emphasizing the profound impact this would have on Bangladeshi citizens engaged in overseas activities. “This move will save Bangladeshi expatriates and students around 500-600 crore BDT annually, as they no longer need to get their public documents re-authenticated in the destination country,” he stated.
The Apostille Convention simplifies the process of certifying public documents to be used abroad, negating the need for multiple authentications by different countries once it is apostilled. For Bangladesh, this means a streamlined, cost-effective process for students, professionals, and migrants who require public documents for education, employment, or immigration purposes.
The benefits extend beyond convenience and cost savings. With the implementation of the Electronic Apostille Program (e-APP), documents will be processed faster and verified through QR codes, ensuring authenticity and reducing fraud. This technological advancement aligns with global standards, providing transparency and security in document handling.
During his speech, Dr. Momen also highlighted the larger diplomatic implications of joining the convention. “This is not just about easing the document attestation process; it’s about aligning with international norms and improving the efficiency of our consular services globally,” he explained.
The ceremony was attended by key figures including the Dutch Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, who welcomed Dr. Momen and praised Bangladesh’s proactive steps in integrating into the global legal framework. Also present were Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, senior officials from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and directors from the consular and welfare wings of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Reflecting on the event, Dr. Momen expressed optimism about the future: “With the support of other member countries, we expect to fully implement the e-APP system within eight months, further benefiting our citizens abroad.”
This development represents a significant leap forward for Bangladesh in terms of international legal cooperation and supports the broader goal of facilitating seamless, cross-border mobility for its citizens.