India KP Chair beings with 5th C, Conflict-free!
India
will play an active role in the evolution and
transformation
of the Kimberley Process!
KP
Intersessional Meeting
2019
begins in Mumbai
India
Advocates
for
‘peace’ diamond!
“Even
a single conflict diamond is one too many. India will play an active role in
the evolution and transformation of the Kimberley Process, in the transition
from conflict diamonds to peace diamonds. The 4Cs (Cut, Clarity, Colour &
Carat) of diamond may soon be expanded to 5Cs with the 5th C being
‘Conflict-free’. And the 5Ps of diamond marketing (Precious, Popular, Prestige,
Priceless) will include ‘Peace’ diamonds”.
This
was stated by Director General, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Shri Alok
Vardhan Chaturvedi, at the opening session of the Kimberley Process
Intersessional Meeting 2019, in Mumbai on June 17, 2019. The Kimberley Process
Certification Scheme (KPCS) Intersessional Meeting 2019 is an annual mid-year
event of KPCS, which unites administrations, civil societies and diamond
industry in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds used to finance wars against
governments around the world.
India
is the KP chair for 2019 and is hosting the KP Intersessional meeting in Mumbai
during June 17 & up to 21, 2019.
Shri
Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, KP Chair (India) and Director General of Foreign Trade
(DGFT) hosted and addressed KP participants from 82 countries including the US,
Russian Federation, European Union, Africa, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Singapore,
Australia, UAE, New Zealand, South Africa, South Asia, etc. Mr. Stephane
Fischler, President-World Diamond Council and Mr. Shamiso Mtisi, Coordinator of
the KP Civil Society Coalition, also addressed the inaugural session.
The
Kimberley Process Chairmanship 2019 India event is organized by the Union
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; and co-organised by
KP Exporting/ Importing Authority - Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion
Council (GJEPC).
The
DG said that diamonds which were called blood or conflict diamonds have been
almost completely excluded from global trade. Every rough diamond is
accompanied by a certificate confirming its non-conflict origin, and
export-import procedures in most of the countries are now subject to rigorous
control.
Shri
Chaturvedi noted that the international diamond industry has welcomed the
adoption of the resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on March 1,
2019 which calls for strengthening of KP to more effectively sever the link
between illicit transaction of diamonds and conflict.
He
added, “India, as KP Chair would continue to work with the Governments,
international diamond industry and civil society towards building consensus and
strengthening KP. KP Intersessional meet will help in creating a clear &
concise Core Document, enhancing KP standards and modalities with peer review
mechanism; raising the level of representation and participation; improving the
gathering and flow of essential data amongst other key goals.”
Noting
that the Kimberley Process (KP) has improved the lives of most people dependent
on the industry, he said that India is committed to make this process stronger
in terms of inclusiveness, strengthened administration and implementation,
efficiency in delivery and transparent and empathetic approach towards lives of
the people dependent on the production, trade and manufacture of diamonds.
He
stated that India is one of the prominent members of KP Certification Scheme.
As the largest manufacturing centre and major importer of rough diamonds, India
has a unique position in between producers of rough diamonds and consumers of
cut and polished diamonds. Importance of KPCS is immense to India, with more
than 1 million people being directly employed by the industry and with diamond
exports amounting to more than US dollar 24 billion, he said.
Shri
Chaturvedi said that the international community has set in motion a historic
plan to build a more prosperous, more equivalent and more secure world by 2030.
Government of India is strongly committed to the 2030 agenda, including the 17
SDGs. He said that the philosophy of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas
for inclusive development converges very well with the SDGs. He added that the
KP has been a driving force for peace and prosperity, tying closely with the
2030 agenda.
The
DG complimented the work done by the Ad-hoc Committee on Review and Reforms and
said that members need to give strong support to the current chair Angola and
Vice-Chair Canada, so that the reform process can reach its identified goals
based on consensus. He said that significant progress in consolidating the core
document can be expected during the Intersessional meeting.
Observing
that diamonds are synonymous with the universal emotion and value of trust, the
DG said that key stakeholders involved do everything possible to create,
maintain and sustain this trust factor. Participating countries have enshrined
the KPCS into national legislation, and 99.8% of world’s diamonds come from
conflict-free sources.
The
DG recalled that in 2018, the KP Plenary adopted the decision on the use of
unified diamond nomenclature and terminology. This would enable differentiation
between diamonds and synthetics on the national level and help introduce
separate HS codes for the two categories, said the DG.
He
said that there is a need to continue the good work and act on issues such as
support, technical assistance, capacity building of artisanal mining countries,
finalization of best practice document by WGS and coordination of joint work
programme by WGM and WGAAP with respect to Central Africa. He also said that
the KP has to evolve and become relevant by pursuing increasing transparency,
coherence and cooperation.
In
addition to the presentations by the Working Group Chairs and other
presentations, KP Intersessional meet in Mumbai will have special forums on
Diamond Terminology, Artisanal Mining and how to make collective programs work
where Mumbai's famous Dabbawallas will present the Chain of Custody and All
India Angadiya's Association will present indigenous solutions. Union Ministry
of Commerce & Industry will present on pooling resources through Common
Facility Centres (CFCs).
And
the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) will present sessions
on Cluster Mapping, Parichay Card, Health Insurance schemes, etc.
President,
World Diamond Council, Mr. Stephane Fischler spoke of the enormous economic and
social opportunity presented by diamonds and highlighted the dramatic disparity
between the development trajectory of countries which were able to exploit that
potential and of those which suffered due to civil war and conflict.
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