Progress Made at Kimberley Process Meeting in Luanda

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(Rapaport…November 8, 2001) Delegates from around the globe met in Luanda, Angola last week for a meeting on the Kimberley Process to discuss the working document being prepared for presentation to the United Nations 56th session less than one month from now. Twenty-five countries, the European Community, and representatives from several nongovernmental organizations and the World Diamond Council agreed on a number of specific items including: the establishment of a range on internal controls to give effect to the international certification scheme; detailed provisions on cooperation and transparency; the precise content of the certificate to accompany shipments of rough diamonds; the content of the Preamble, explaining the context in which the international certification scheme is set; and that the international certification scheme must be consistent with international law governing international trade.

“It has been essential during this process that we recognize international law as formulated by the United Nations Security Council, as well as international trade regulations enshrined in the World Trade Organization, the World Customs Organization and other multilateral organizations,” said Abbey Chikane, chairman of the Kimberley Process and the South African Diamond Board.

Delegates also acknowledged progress being made by countries like Angola, Congo, Sierra Leone and Guinea in the battle against conflict diamonds.

The final Kimberley Process meeting before the UN’s 56th session will take place in Gabarone, Botswana from November 26 to 29.