United arab emirates: Diamond-producing countries, industry representatives, and civil society gathered in the United Arab Emirates on Monday to agree on reforming the Kimberley Process (KP) mechanism. The agreement aims to redefine the concept of conflict diamonds to address current challenges.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the ministerial plenary meeting on the Kimberley Process, which is scheduled to take place from November 17 to 21, marked the first such gathering since 2002. This meeting underscores the significant and urgent nature of issues facing the global diamond industry.
In the opening session, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the president of the KP, emphasized the critical phase the sector is experiencing and urged for decisive actions. He stressed the importance of modernizing the definition of conflict diamonds, strengthening the Secretariat, and implementing a robust financing model. Sulayem reaffirmed the Kimberley Process as the most reliable international mechanism aimed at safeguarding legitimate diamond trade.
The Undersecretary for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Fahad Al Gergawi, reiterated his country's dedication to fostering more cohesive and effective global governance. He emphasized the necessity for stability, collaboration, and tangible results within the diamond sector.
The Angolan delegation, led by National Coordinator of the Kimberley Process Estanislau Buio, included Administrator of Endiama Domingos Margarida, senior officials from the National Commission of the Kimberley Process, and members of the Special Security Corps for Strategic Minerals (CESME).
The Kimberley Process International Certification Scheme serves as the diamond origin certification body established to prevent the trade of diamonds originating from conflict zones.
