IDMA, WFDB Reaffirm Commitment to Conflict Diamond Prevention

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RAPAPORT…  Press Release: At the conclusion of the 2009 presidents meeting of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), the groups issued a statement that emphasized the organizations’ unequivocal commitment and determination to uphold the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and the principles of the World Diamond Council (WDC), of which IDMA and the WFDB are co-founding members.
 
In their statement, the presidents said that after intensive discussions, they resolved to send a clear message to the players in the diamond supply chain.
 
“IDMA and the WFDB reconfirm their commitment to end and prevent the use of rough diamonds for the purpose of funding conflict anywhere in the world. We reiterate that our endorsement of the Kimberley Process, the World Diamond Council and the supportive system of warranties remains strong,” they declared.
 
The organizations stated that the Kimberley Process (KP) has prevented and will continue to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds into legitimate markets. To that end, the organizations expect full and timely implementation of the stringent controls that were agreed upon at the KP plenary meeting held in Swakopmund, Namibia on November 5, 2009.
 
IDMA and WFDB noted Zimbabwe’s decision not to export rough diamonds from Marange pending full implementation of the monitoring system. Any member who trades in rough diamonds from Marange prior to the full implementation of this monitoring system and the KP compliance resolution will be subject to expulsion.

The attending IDMA and WFDB presidents further stated that any human rights abuses linked to diamond mining and processing cannot and will not be tolerated.