he European Union, as the
chair of the Kimberley Process
(KP) for 2018, hosted this
year’s Intersessional meeting in
Antwerp, Belgium from June 18th-22nd.
This year’s Intersessional meeting – the
annual forum where members gather
to discuss the technical aspects of the
various working groups that comprise the
KP – reviewed the latest developments
in the implementation of the Kimberley
Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)
and wider diamond governance, as well
as the ongoing reform agenda of the KP.
The Intersessional was attended by the
global diamond community consisting of
diamond-producing and trading countries,
the diamond industry and civil society.
The World Diamond Council (WDC)
reaffirmed its commitment to driving
ongoing positive change through reform
at the Intersessional meeting. Individual
members of the WDC currently serve on
a range of KP working groups that include
Monitoring , Central African Republic
(CAR) Monitoring Team, Statistics,T
KP Intersessional Discusses
Ambitious Reform Agenda
60 SOLITAIRE INTERNATIONAL JULY 2018Rules and Procedures, Participation and
Chairmanship, Alluvial and Artisanal
Production and Diamond Experts.
Kimberley Process chair Hilde
Hardeman, in her closing speech, said,
“I would like to thank all concerned for
the fruitful work this week on helping
the Central African Republic to address
the challenges it is facing. This goes to
the heart of what the Kimberley Process
is about. We must make sure that we
deliver. The reform and review agenda
has taken a central place in our work this
week, and will remain central for the
months ahead. Reform must help ensure
that the Kimberley Process remains fit for
purpose in a changing world.
“ We further need to continue
our work on developing a clear and
convincing approach to responsible
sourcing , as part of the review of the core
document, which will cover the issue
of the scope. The position of mining
communities is central in this regard.
“There are many opinions on how
we should shape a future permanentsecretariat, to take up and further
develop the role that is currently
played by the Administrative Support
Mechanism. That is why the European
Union has made it possible to conduct
an independent needs assessment on a
dedicated secretariat and a multi-donor
fund. We need pragmatic solutions that
respond to the real needs, that work and
are sustainable, also financially.”
Hardeman said the KP was paying
attention to alluvial and artisanal mining ,
and that further research could help in
improving traceability, and contribute
to giving consumers the necessary
guarantees. Both aspects will remain a
focus in the time ahead, she added.
In a speech, Stephane Fischler, acting
president of the WDC, reiterated the
need for KP review and reform in the
areas of scope of conflict diamonds,
KPCS minimum standards, and long-
term implementation of KPCS directives
via a permanent secretariat. He also
appealed to alluvial diamond producing
countries, in particular, to embrace the
opportunities for progress and improving
lives in their own communities made
possible with the KP.
In addition to encouraging KP reform,
the WDC continues to advocate for
positive change from within. In June,
the WDC System of Warranties (SoW)
entered a public review period following
the completion of an industry review.
The WDC SoW extends the assurances
provided by the KPCS by requiring
all diamond suppliers and diamond
jewellery manufacturers to pass on a
conflict-free warranty statement each
time diamond goods (rough or polished)
change hands. It also asks SoW statement
users to ensure that trading activities
maintain strict adherence of universally
accepted principles on human and labour
rights, anticorruption and anti-moneyKimberley Process chair Hilde Hardeman (right) at a KP meeting in New York in March 2018.