A coalition of governments and international partners has launched a renewed effort to challenge the practice of surrogacy on the global stage.
During a high-level event held on June 22 at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, representatives from Italy, the Holy See, Chile, and Cameroon jointly called for an international moratorium on surrogacy, describing it as a necessary first step toward the eventual abolition of the practice worldwide.
The gathering, titled “Building Momentum Towards a Moratorium on Surrogacy,” focused on growing concerns about the social, ethical, medical, and human rights implications of surrogacy, particularly as the industry continues to expand rapidly across international borders.
Growing Industry Sparks Renewed Scrutiny
Participants highlighted the dramatic growth of the global surrogacy market, which analysts estimate could approach $100 billion by 2033.
Organizers argued that the increasing commercialization of reproduction raises complex questions about human dignity, exploitation, and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
The declaration unveiled during the event reflects a strong abolitionist position, urging governments to develop policies and legal frameworks designed to protect fundamental human rights while limiting the expansion of surrogacy arrangements.
The initiative also builds on previous statements from the Holy See, including criticism voiced by Pope Leo XIV earlier this year.
Vatican representatives have repeatedly warned that technological and commercial developments in surrogacy have outpaced both legal oversight and ethical safeguards.
Italy Frames Debate Around Human Dignity
Italy’s Minister for Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities, Eugenia Roccella, presented the issue as a defining question about how society values human life.
According to Roccella, policymakers must decide whether people should always be regarded as individuals deserving respect or whether modern societies are becoming willing to treat human beings as instruments for fulfilling the desires and interests of others.
She described the newly introduced declaration as a shared political commitment aimed at securing an international suspension of surrogacy arrangements while laying the foundation for future legal mechanisms that could prohibit the practice globally.
At the same time, Roccella emphasized that the declaration is not intended as a final solution but rather the beginning of a broader international conversation involving governments, institutions, and civil society groups.
UN Expert Raises Human Rights Concerns
One of the event’s most prominent speakers was Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls.
Her extensive 2025 report on surrogacy has been regarded by supporters as one of the most detailed examinations of the issue from a human rights perspective.
Alsalem explained that her interest in the subject emerged through investigations into violence and discrimination affecting women and girls.
She argued that surrogacy has developed into a significant global phenomenon with far-reaching consequences that have not been adequately examined under international human rights law.
Based on her findings, she contended that surrogacy transforms women’s reproductive capabilities into commercial services while reducing children to the subject of contractual agreements.
Concerns Over Women and Children
Alsalem warned that surrogacy arrangements can create situations in which children face abandonment, legal uncertainty, or separation from the women who carried them during pregnancy.
She suggested that such circumstances may have long-term emotional and psychological consequences.
She also expressed support for an international moratorium, arguing that a temporary halt would provide governments with time to collect data, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and conduct a more comprehensive assessment of the practice’s impact on human rights.
Her 2026 report continued to raise concerns that surrogacy may contribute to exploitation, coercion, and other abuses affecting women and girls.
Signs of a Broader International Movement
Advocates behind the Geneva initiative believe opposition to surrogacy is gaining momentum in several parts of the world.
Giorgio Mazzoli, director of U.N. advocacy for ADF International and moderator of the event, pointed to recent developments such as Slovakia’s constitutional ban on surrogacy and legislative efforts advancing in Chile as indications that governments are becoming increasingly concerned about the issue.
According to Mazzoli, more countries are recognizing the need for coordinated international action to address what organizers describe as harms associated with surrogacy, particularly for women and children.
He added that even governments where surrogacy is not yet a major domestic issue are closely monitoring developments and considering potential policy responses.
Calls for International Legal Action
Mazzoli also highlighted Italy’s recent move to extend criminal penalties to citizens who seek surrogacy services abroad, a measure intended to prevent individuals from bypassing domestic restrictions by traveling to jurisdictions where the practice remains legal.
However, he argued that national laws alone are unlikely to be effective in regulating an increasingly international industry.
Instead, supporters of the moratorium believe a legally binding international agreement will ultimately be required to address cross-border surrogacy arrangements and ensure consistent standards between countries.
Public Awareness Remains Uneven Across Europe
Observers attending the Geneva meeting noted that public understanding of surrogacy varies significantly from one country to another.
Ludovine de La Rochère, president of Le Syndicat de la Famille, said awareness tends to be higher in nations where advocacy groups actively publicize controversies and ethical concerns linked to surrogacy.
In many other countries, she argued, the public has only limited knowledge of how surrogacy arrangements operate in practice.
She also suggested that media coverage often focuses on perspectives supportive of surrogacy, while organizations advocating for restrictions frequently struggle with limited funding and resources.
Advocates Seek Greater Public Education
De La Rochère stressed the importance of expanding public information campaigns about surrogacy, arguing that broader awareness is essential for informed debate.
She maintained that educational efforts should focus on concerns surrounding the treatment of women and children within surrogacy arrangements, while also drawing attention to cases involving alleged exploitation and international trafficking networks.
As discussions continue at the United Nations and within national governments, supporters of the Geneva declaration hope the call for a moratorium will encourage wider global debate over the ethical, legal, and human rights questions surrounding surrogacy.
