Diamonds

Save E-mail Print Most Popular RSS Reprints

KP participants agree to tackle conflict diamond issues

November 09, 2006

Similar Stories | Topics

Gaborone, Botswana—The diamond industry and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have kept critical pressure on the conflict diamonds issue reported positive progress as the Kimberley Process Plenary concluded.

Among the issues addressed at the meeting were the development of stronger internal controls to strengthen government oversight of the industry within the next year; implementation and development of recommendations contained in the Kimberley Process Three-Year Review, which include publication of statistics; strong measures and assistance from governments and the diamond industry to assist participants with compliance, including helping Ghana to strengthen its internal controls or face expulsion; and the development of formal procedures to deal with non-compliance of participant nations.

"We are delighted with the progress made in Gaborone. The Kimberley Process had already reduced conflict diamonds to less than 1 per cent of world rough-diamond production, but this demonstrates the strong commitment of the 71 countries in the Kimberley Process to work with us and NGOs to eliminate the very last traces of conflict diamonds," World Diamond Council (WDC) Chairman Eli Izhakoff said in a statement. "It recognizes also the important contribution of diamonds to African development, particularly in providing employment, education and health care. All participants can be proud of their achievements."

The WDC—which has been among those pushing for better controls and more transparency in the diamond industry—applauded the actions of governments to strengthen the KP to eradicate the trade in conflict diamonds.

Participants also agreed that the KP will continue to cooperate and liaise with the United Nations and other organizations and initiatives, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the Diamond Development Initiative. It will also work with NGOs to address governance, regulatory, social and development issues facing countries with artisanal diamond mining and develop better partnerships with communities affected and civil society at the local level.

"The plenary in Botswana not only ensures the effectiveness and credibility of the Kimberley Process, but also recognizes the importance of working with initiatives by industry and NGOs on the economic, social, environmental and development needs of the informal mining sector," the WDC stated.

While one might expect representatives from the diamond industry to put a positive spin on events, representatives of both Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada, who in the past have been among the toughest critics, shared Izhakoff's sentiments.

In a joint release, the two NGOs said the major challenges faced by the KP with regard to conflict diamonds had all been well addressed.

These included the reports that diamonds were being smuggled out of the Ivory Coast through Ghana, that 100 percent of Venezuela's diamond production was being smuggled and concerns with governmental controls and statistical transparency.

"All of these issues were addressed in a constructive manner," said Partnership Africa Canada's Ian Smillie, who had been less optimistic when the meeting began. "We have been pleasantly surprised at the willingness of participants to deal with the issues quickly, fairly and effectively."

The NGOs praised the diamond industry's efforts lead by Izhakoff, noting that the WDC "asked for effective and credible oversight of industry compliance with KPCS standards as a means of ensuring consumers that diamonds certified under the KPCSW are free of controversy."

KP Chair K.G. Moshashane noted that participant nations, civil society and the diamond industry may not always agree, but they are united in bringing a complete end to the trade in conflict diamonds.

Incoming Chair Karel Kovanda, who represents the European Commission, said the disagreements serve to make the KP stronger.

"The nature of the points of agreement is unparalleled and thanks to them we are changing the world," he said.
Save E-mail Print Most Popular RSS Reprints
Post a Comment
* Required field
* Author:
* Comment:
 

Diamonds

Industry calling for swift action on Zimbabwe

Jewelers of America is calling on the Kimberley Process to fully and quickly implement a work plan to address the serious concerns surrounding Zimbabwe's non-compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the system designed to keep conflict diamonds out of the international trade, and the reported human rights abuses in the Marange diamond fields. Read More

Sotheby's reports record-breaking sales in Geneva
Diamond symposium focuses on 'new normal'
More Diamonds

More Like This

WDC's Izhakoff receives first Rapaport Award
June 12, 2007 | National Jeweler Network
WDC addresses global forum on terrorism
December 01, 2006 | National Jeweler Network
Oppenheimer to present keynote at CIBJO Congress
January 24, 2007 | National Jeweler Network
Israel to chair Kimberley Process in 2010
November 12, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
WDC: Despite successes, CDTA and KP need improvement
October 02, 2006 | National Jeweler Network
TOPICS
Social Issues

advertisement

Video

Small multi video player located on right rail of NJN site

advertisement

Retailer Toolbar

America's Best Jewelers
Join the ONLY Social Network for Jewelry Retailers. Get access to expert content, peer best practices, and more.
Start networking today.
Newsletters
Newsletters
Topic-specific newsletters that deliver the latest news on jewelry, diamonds, wholesale operations and high-volume buying directly to your in-box.
Reader Connect
ReaderConnect
Supplier information presented with every article, bringing you related, actionable content on every topic.
Jewelry Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages
A comprehensive listing of associations, organizations, suppliers and services for the jewelry industry.
Classifieds
Classifieds
A comprehensive listing of job postings, product offerings and other materials for sale for the jewelry industry.
NJN Customer Connect
CustomerConnect
The most sophisticated suite of marketing services available for jewelry retailers, from Internet tools to data marketing.

advertisement