The Kimberley Process (KP), which is currently chaired by the chief executive of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has opened the diamond watchdog’s permanent secretariat office in Gaborone, Botswana.
The new secretariat office - the first of its kind for the KP - will support the 59 nodes of diamond control offices around the world.
“The opening of the KP secretariat marks a historic day for the future of the diamond trade and the Kimberley Process - a true milestone in our commitment to ensure this is a year of delivery for the diamond industry,” said Bin Sulayem.
“The new office will serve as a backbone to the Kimberley Process, driving unity and helping ensure diamonds continue to be a positive force for African development, bringing real benefits to communities and economies alike.”
He said the opening of the new office builds on a process that has been tried and tested for 21 years while ensuring Africa benefits from its diamond resources.
Under its ‘Year of Delivery’ as KP chair, the UAE has pursued a bold agenda to overcome political gridlocks and drive concrete actions, including the establishment of the permanent secretariat and continuing the essential KP review and reform cycle.
The United Nations established the KP in 2003 to control the global diamond trade.
It consists of 85 countries with 59 control nodes that seek to ensure that unregulated rough diamonds do not enter the legitimate diamond market as a means to finance conflict.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief, Rough&Polished
