Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 09:46 am
A group of countries at the United Nations has launched a political declaration calling for an international moratorium on surrogacy, in what supporters hope will become the first step toward a global framework aimed at abolishing the practice.
The declaration, led by Italy and Chile, was presented on June 22 during the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The initiative was co-hosted by Italy, Chile, Cameroon, and the Holy See, with ADF International moderating the event.
While the declaration is not legally binding, its supporters see it as an important diplomatic step toward treating surrogacy as an international human rights issue rather than simply a private contractual arrangement.
The document highlights potential harms to women and children, including exploitation, coercion, medical and psychological risks, trafficking, questions surrounding children’s identities, and legal uncertainty over parentage and nationality.
Supporters argue that national bans alone are increasingly ineffective because surrogacy has developed into a global industry. Couples from countries where the practice is prohibited can travel abroad, often to poorer nations where women may be economically vulnerable and legal protections weaker.
Italy has already prohibited surrogacy both domestically and abroad for Italian citizens, while countries including France, Germany, and Spain maintain restrictive laws. Without an international framework, however, surrogacy arrangements can simply move to more permissive jurisdictions.
The initiative also follows a 2025 report by UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem, which characterized surrogacy as a form of exploitation and violence affecting women and children. Alsalem has backed a moratorium as an initial step toward an abolitionist approach.
The declaration remains at an early stage, but organizers hope additional countries will join before efforts begin toward a binding international agreement.
Discussion about this post