EU KP Chair passes bucks to India!
Nothing
final on an expanded
Definition
of conflict diamonds
WDC eye on next KP
Plenary in India in 2019
While
reiterating its support for the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)
as the most effective means possible to end the trade in conflict diamonds, the
World Diamond Council (WDC) expressed concern that more progress was not made
in reforming its scope during the 2018 KP Plenary Meeting that hosted by the
European Union in Brussels, Belgium.
Nonetheless,
the WDC considered as positive the noting in the KP Plenary’s final communiquĂ©
of the submission by the Canadian government of an expanded definition of
conflict diamonds, which had been proposed by WDC and its fellow KP observer,
the Civil Society Coalition (CSC), and expressed hope that the Kimberley
Process Participants will support the amendment and make further contributions
ahead of the next KP Plenary in India in 2019.
Furthermore,
the WDC welcomed the decision of the KP Plenary to adopt all three
Administrative decisions that were proposed by the industry. These included the
‘Establishment of a Kimberley Process Secretariat’, ‘Compilation of
Modifications to Technical Definitions’ and ‘Use of Unified Diamond
Nomenclature and Terminology as a Best Practice’. This result clearly showed
the commitment of the industry to promote change and institutional
effectiveness of the KP.
“We
recognize the success of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in
addressing the issues raised within its mandate, as it relates to the original
definition of conflict diamonds,” said World Diamond Council President Stephane
Fischler.
“As
the achievements of the past demonstrate conclusively, the KPCS not only has
the capacity to protect people in the mining areas, but also to provide them
with opportunities that otherwise might not exist. This is particularly
relevant when it comes to artisanal and small-scale miners, who account for
5-10 percent of rough diamond production by value.
They
are an important part of the up to 10 million workers that the diamond industry
sustains globally and are particularly vulnerable from both the social and
economic perspective.
The KP should be playing a primary role in protecting
their interests and enabling them to obtain legitimate access to the world
markets.”
Mr.
Fischler continued, “We remain hopeful that the KP can achieve tangible
progress in its commitment towards reform in the future and we urge KP
Participants to support efforts in constructive progress in this regard to
achieve incremental change. The value of a diamond is enhanced by the positive
values that communicates to the consumer, and we therefore believe that any effort
to reinforce those values is worthy of discussion.”
The
WDC is hopeful that a reformed KPCS will support and complement its
strengthened System of Warranties, which were ratified at the Council’s Annual
General Meeting in Mumbai last month. These recognize the importance of
maintaining and building on international standards and initiatives that
provide consumers with the assurances they seek around human rights.
The
WDC’s System of Warranties is a critical component in the suite of standards
and practices that are working to protect the integrity of diamonds, the
diamond industry and populations in the diamond-mining areas, among them the
OECD due diligence guidance, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human
Rights, and the Responsible Jewellery Council’s Code of Practices.
Mr.
Fischler praised the critical role played by Hilde Hardeman, the outgoing Chair
of the Kimberley Process, and her team at the European Union, noting their
positive leadership and tremendous effort over the past year, often in
challenging circumstances. He also wished the incoming Chair of India the best
of luck, emphasizing that the WDC is committed to achieving meaningful reforms
and doing what it can to the support the KP in meeting its challenges.
The
WDC President paid special tribute to Mark Van Bockstael who is retiring after
16 years as the Chair of the KP’s Working Group of Diamond Experts. “There are
literally millions of people whose lives and livelihoods were dramatically
improved by the tireless work of Mark and his colleagues, who created almost
from scratch the methodology and knowledge-base on which the KP is founded. He
is pioneer and one of us, and we are tremendously proud of him and his
achievements,” Mr. Fischler said.
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