The Kimberley Process (KP) discussed plans for a reform agenda at its intersessional meeting in Antwerp last week, including broadening its definition of conflict diamonds.
“I believe the industry has expressed an unambiguous and clear position,” acting president Stephane Fischler of the World Diamond Council (WDC) — the group that represents the interests of the global diamond industry within the KP — told Rapaport News in regard to updating the definition. “We are endorsing a change in the scope of the KP.”
Other topics of discussion at the meeting were a deepening of the KP, including the strengthening of the system of controls and transforming the KP’s recommendations into minimum requirements. Talks also covered the issue of professionalization of the KP by establishing a permanent KP secretariat — a United Nations-mandated body to oversee excluded countries’ return to the diamond trade.
The intersessional featured discussions ahead of decisions the KP may make at its plenary meeting, which will take place in Brussels in November.
The fulfillment of this new agenda will be the start of a “KP 2.0” — a way for the KP to adapt to changing consumer demands, according to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).
