WDC Regrets Inconclusive KP Meeting, Urges Consensus

(IDEX Online News) – The World Diamond Council has expressed its regret about the inconclusive end to the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting in Kinshasa last week. The main goal of the meeting was to finally resolve the issue of diamond exports from Zimbabwe. This did not happen.

One of outcomes of the Kinshasa meeting was confusion. Some understood a statement by the Chair as an approval of exports from Zimbabwe's Marange region. However, a unanimous vote approving the exports did not take place and therefore the exports are not allowed.

WDC President Eli Izhakoff said members may be frustrated by the outcome.

Officials in the diamond centers asked by IDEX Online said that if such goods were to enter their country, they will stop the goods.

WDC on Monday emphasized the necessity of "a robust KP in which all rules and procedures are clearly understood and implemented by all member nations."

The WDC called on all parties to renew efforts to reach agreement over the future of exports from Zimbabwe's Marange region.

In the meantime, the WDC urges all members of the trade to deal only in rough diamonds that are accompanied by KP certificates that comply with the consensus decisions of the Kimberley Process.

"Over the course of the week there was a genuine and concerted effort to resolve the differences that remained," said Izhakoff. "I do not feel that we reached a dead end."

According to Izhakoff, "If the Kimberley Process is rendered ineffective as a result of indecision at the executive level, nobody really benefits."

"Despite their reservations about KP chair's declaration, the U.S., EU, Canada and Australia all expressed continuing support for KP and stated their intention to continue searching for consensus. So did the representatives of civil society."

The WDC said it will advise the diamond industry if and when the KP reaches consensus on issuing KP Certificates for the export of rough diamonds from the Marange region, when advised of the same by the KP Chair.