The Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary session is under way in Brisbane, Australia (December 9-14). Australia is currently the Chair of the Kimberley Process. According to IDEX Online, the World Diamond Council (WDC) led “bilateral meetings with members of the KP including the Chair, some of the 81 KP member countries and the Civil Society Coalition” before the sessions started.
In addition to these meetings, WDC members also participated in discussions within the various KP working groups. Prior to the Plenary, Stephane Fischler, President of the World Diamond Council (WDC), called for discussions on the need to reform the Kimberley Process (KP). In a press conference last week, Fischler said that the KP needs to broaden its scope “by expanding the definition of conflict diamonds to also encompass safe and secure working conditions, fair labor practices and sustainable development in diamond communities”. The WDC also called for establishing “a permanent secretariat based in a neutral country”, the restoration of KPCS implementation in sanctioned countries, support for development projects in participant countries and more.
As the meetings progresses, Fischler commented: “I am encouraged by the open dialogue and discussions we have had so far, but we should not underestimate the complexity of what lies ahead. Reaching consensus among such a large and diverse group is never easy. A successful outcome on KP reform will require patience, openness and compromise. As the voice of industry in this process, the WDC is fully committed and we remain confident that together we will reach this goal”.
