WDC Calls for Continued Dialogue and Cooperation

Speaking on behalf of the diamond industry, the World Diamond Council (WDC) today called for all parties involved in the Kimberley Process to continue productive dialogue and co-operation.

Since its inception in 2003, the Kimberley Process (KP) has played a key role in the effort to eliminate the scourge of conflict diamonds from the global diamond trade.

At this year's Kimberley Process intersessional meeting in Tel Aviv, the Israel government hosted civil society, diamond industry and government representatives to discuss and address issues currently facing the international trade in diamonds.

There was disappointment that consensus agreement could not be reached regarding the status of exports from the Marange region of Zimbabwe. However, the World Diamond Council called for all Kimberley Process stakeholders to redouble their efforts to bring about a solution acceptable to all.

In recognition of the need for the Kimberley Process to evolve and improve, a one-day seminar was jointly convened by the diamond industry and Civil Society. The seminar, which included the participation of government members, concluded with an agreement to develop reforms that will further enhance the KP's ability to address challenges and opportunity in the future.

Another seminar took place to discuss more effective co-operation between the Kimberley Process and other sectors of government, including customs, security and border controls.

Eli Izhakoff, President of the World Diamond Council, said "the diamond industry welcomes these developments and has long been calling for sensible and appropriate reforms and greater co-operation within and between governments."