EU to chair Kimberley Process to combat conflict diamonds in 2007

The European Commission is to take over the reins of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to combat conflict diamonds, after a formal handover ceremony today. The outgoing chair, Botswana, passed on the baton at the process' annual Plenary, held in Gaborone between 6 and 9 November. At the Plenary progress was achieved on a number of crucial issues, of which the most import were the adoption of urgent measures to help participating counties strengthen their internal controls, and a number of recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process itself. The Kimberley Process is a unique initiative by government authorities, the international diamond industry and civil society to combat 'conflict diamonds' - rough diamonds used to finance warfare - after the experience of devastating conflicts in some diamond-producing countries in Africa.

The Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner commented, "The Kimberley process is our best weapon against a trade in diamonds which fuels war and bloodshed. The European Commission is looking forward to chairing the process in 2007, and our aim will be to make the process even more effective in stopping illicit trading in diamonds. We need to dry up this source of income for those who stir up lethal conflicts, and ensure that those who buy diamonds around the world can do so confident that they are not contributing to this terrible trade."

Following the successful plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process, the Commission, supported by member states, will use its Chairmanship in 2007 to work to ensure effective implementation of controls by all participants and to close down remaining loopholes. As Chair, the Commission will promote the active involvement of industry in policing itself. The European Union's system of industry self-regulation has a lot to offer as a model for others.

The Commission will work closely with governments, industry and civil society, all of whom have contributed much to the Kimberley Process' achievements, and will continue Kimberley's close co-operation with the UN on the cases of Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, which are subject to diamond embargoes

The Kimberley Process has achieved remarkable progress in a short time since its creation just a few years ago: All the key elements are now in place to ensure that purchases of diamonds do not fuel conflict. However the Process needs to be strengthened further in order to protect innocent lives and the livelihood of those who depend on the diamond industry in Africa and elsewhere.

Background

The Kimberley Process grew out of discussions in May 2000 in Kimberley, South Africa among interested governments, NGOs and industry groups seeking practical solutions to the problem of conflict diamonds, and in December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting the creation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds.

In November 2002, an agreement was reached on the Kimberley certification scheme (KPCS): an innovative system imposing extensive requirements on all Participants to control all imports and exports of rough diamonds and to put in place rigorous internal controls over production and trade to ensure that conflict diamonds could not enter the legal diamond trade. KPCS Participants may only trade in rough diamonds with other Participants. All exports of rough diamonds have to be accompanied by valid Kimberley Process certificates issued by Participants, guaranteeing that the diamonds are conflict free.

Since its entry into force in January 2003, the KPCS has continued to innovate and strengthen itself, including by extensive monitoring, both through an annual reporting requirement and through on the spot 'peer review' visits.

In November last year, the European Community, represented by the European Commission, was unanimously elected to lead the Kimberley Process in 2007, following South Africa, Canada, the Russian Federation and Botswana.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme now has 45 Participants (equalling 71 countries with the European Community counting as a single Participant), including all major diamond producing, trading and polishing centres, and counts on the active participation of civil society and industry groups.

For further details, please see:
The EU & the Kimberley Process:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/kimb/intro/index.htm

www.kimberleyprocess.com

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