The United Nations has reiterated its support for the Kimberley Process (KP) and its fight against trade in conflict diamonds since 2003, IDEX Online reports.
In a resolution adopted by its General Assembly of 193 member nations recently (April 3), the UN recognized the connection between the illicit trade of rough diamonds and armed conflicts, without the need for a vote.
Albert Chimbindi, UN ambassador for Zimbabwe, which chaired the KP last year, reported that a total of 121.5 million carats valued at $16.3 billion were certified by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in 2022. He added: “A total of 45,648 KP importation certificates were issued, as well as 46,089 exportation certificates, which clearly shows that the mechanism is working”.
Botswana stated that approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds is now conflict-free, attributing this achievement to the “persistent efforts” of the KP.
