Participants of the Kimberley Process (KP) supported Central African Republic’s (CAR) reinstatement to the structure in light of the improving security situation in this country. This is one of the main results of the KP intersessional meeting and special plenary in Dubai under the chairmanship of the UAE.
“Key progress was made in regards to Central African Republic’s reinstatement to the Kimberley Process,” the press release said. “Since 2013, the country has been subject to a temporary ban on the import and export of rough diamonds due to unrest. Following the Special plenary, a date for a Review Mission [of the KP to the CAR] has been confirmed for September 2024.”
Jaff Bamenjo, representing the KP Civil Society Coalition, said: “We are encouraged by the incremental, but fragile progress made regarding the Central African Republic, which has been under KP restrictive measures since 2013. The renewed engagement of the CAR government with the CAR Monitoring Team, signifies a positive move towards cooperation.”
In addition, during the intersessional meeting, special attention was paid to the topic of innovative technologies introduction to the system of provenance and diamonds traceability as well as availability to address future challenges in the global diamond trade landscape.
“We are delighted with the collaborative spirit and desire to drive change in the Kimberley Process,” said KP Chairman Ahmed bin Sulayem. “Under our ‘Year of Delivery’, the UAE has pushed a bold agenda to overcome political gridlocks and drive concrete actions, including the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Botswana and the completion of the KP review and reform cycle, among other things.”
Feriel Zerouki, President of the World Diamond Council, said: “For the majority, natural diamonds are a source of development. They have and continue to provide free education, healthcare in nations like Botswana and support the livelihoods for 10 million people around the world.” She added: “We are also pleased that the discussions on the Central African Republic maintained a similar positive tone, including advancing plans for the Review Mission in CAR in the near future.”
The intersessional meeting of the KP in Dubai gathered hundreds of representatives of diamond industry, civil society and global governments. A Full Plenary meeting of this structure, which currently unites 85 countries, is planned for November.
Hélène Tarin, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
