Kimberley Process Plenary Meeting Has Critical Issues to Discuss, Says WFDB

(IDEX Online) – The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) says the upcoming Plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) which takes place in Dubai, UAE, from November 13-17 will have important issues on its agenda.

The KPCS continues to play a critical role in curbing trade in conflict diamonds and the WFDB's membership is fully committed to the organisation's vital work, said WFDB President Ernie Blom.

"The Kimberley Process has fulfilled a decisive role for more than a decade in dealing with conflict diamonds which have been reduced to less than 0.2 percent of global supply," said Blom. "This is extremely important because the diamond industry has shown consumers and governments around the world that it is committed to removing this scourge.

"The WFDB, with its bourses and membership across the world, has been involved in the KP since the body was established in 2003 via the World Diamond Council (WDC) of which we are a founder member. It represents the Federation and the wider diamond industry at meetings of the Kimberley Process. We have full confidence in the work of the KP and WDC. We support the work of the WDC completely.

"We note the invitation sent last week by KP Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem to Civil Society Coalition members to take part in the Plenary meeting. The NGOs, which are part of the coalition, are one of the main pillars of the KP, along with governments and industry stakeholders. That means it is all the more important that they take part in the KP's deliberations, and we hope that they will do so. It is important that the industry works jointly to show a unified approach as this will help show consumers that we are working together," he added.