World Diamond Council welcomes Kimberley Process plenary results
The World Diamond Council has welcomed the agreements on Marange and measures on reform made at the Kimberley Process (KP) plenary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which took place on November 1 to 3.
The Council praised the session, held in Kinshasa, as being of “historic success”. The agreement on Marange continues to hold Zimbabwe responsible for technical KPCS, monitored by a KP team. It also acknowledges the important role of local civil society organisation in Zimbabwe. Monitoring will commence as soon as November 5, 2011.
It was also declared by the KP that unless Venezuela submits its annual reports and other statistical data by December 20, it will be removed from the KP.
A spokesperson for the World Diamond Council said that the agreements approved and adopted by the KP on Marange at the plenary, as well as on other important issues, including measures on reform, “exhibit beyond doubt that the Kimberley Process is effective, resilient and viable”.
They added: “The diamond industry is pleased with the continuing progress of the KP and we welcome the decision of the United States and South Africa to work together to provide leadership for the next two years, with the United States serving as KP Chair in 2012 and South Africa as Vice Chair, and South Africa becoming KP Chair in 2013”.
The World Diamond Council was also said to be particularly pleased that plenary endorsed the need for professional administrative support to improve and further develop the structures and processes of the KP.
The spokesperson added: “At this plenary, the KP has demonstrated that, in spite of a difficult two years, it is capable of transcending serious challenges and fulfilling its mandate to break the link between conflict and the diamond supply chain”.
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