WDC to Establish Permanent Administrative Support Mechanism for KP

(IDEX Online News) – The World Diamond Council (WDC) Plenary Session concluded yesterday in Tel Aviv, Israel. During the gathering, the WDC and the Kimberley Process (KP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a permanent Administrative Support Mechanism (ASM) to support the KP.

According to the MOU, which was signed by outgoing WDC president Eli Izhakoff and Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, chair of the KP, the WDC will provide a variety of support services to the KP. These include the creation of an online electronic archive, the provision of communication services, logistical support for the KP chair, chairs of KP Working Groups and ad hoc committees, as well as planning and following through on training, data, technical assistance and support.

"There are some who may consider that, with the ASM, the structure that we are establishing is incongruous. For it is a permanent civil service that is operated by private industry to support the operation of the Kimberley Process, which at the national level is government-operated. In effect, it is the regulated working with the regulators to assist in their regulation,” said Izhakoff.

“We have a vested interest in making the system work and the system will not work without us."

The establishment and operation of the ASM will be divided among four WDC members: the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, the Antwerp World Diamond Center, India's Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and the Diamond House of the Government of Ghana.