At the recent Kimberley Process intersessional in Dubai (12-16 May), the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) proposed a new definition.
In a statement, World Diamond Council president Feriel Zerouki said that this new definition would include an understanding to encompass armed groups, individuals, and entities subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions.
“This contribution opened a path forward and brought many stakeholders back to the table,” Zerouki said.
“This is meaningful progress. This time, we feel that the majority of KP members have come prepared. Prepared with the will to act. Prepared with the will to modernise the definition, prepared with the will to make the Kimberley Process as impactful as it was at its inception.”
As reported by Rapaport News, the Kimberley Process chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said that while a consensus has not yet been reached, progress has been made.
“The text proposal from ADPA is moving the conversation forward and showcasing the importance of a clear and non-ambiguous new definition. While we’re still some distance from consensus, this marks real and necessary progress,” he said.
The Kimberley Process was criticised by the European Union and the US State Department late last year and accused of failing to appropriately address the conflict between Russia and Ukraine due to the continued disagreement around the definition of ‘conflict diamonds’.
More reading
Diamond sanctions: Tensions mounting at Kimberley Process
Activist releases video highlighting alleged diamond mining controversy
Controversy surrounding Kimberley Process continues
Conflict diamonds: Definition debate continues
War of words: European Union, Kimberley Process trade blows
Conflict diamonds: Debate over definition rages on
Under fire: Asking more of the Kimberley Process