Pretoria - South Africa will for the second time host the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) conference from 4–7 June.
Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu is expected to deliver the keynote address at the conference, which will be held in Kimberly in the Northern Cape.
The Kimberley Process started when Southern African diamond-producing states met in Kimberley in May 2000 to discuss ways to stop the trade in conflict diamonds and ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.
In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution supporting the creation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds.
By November 2002, negotiations between governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organisations resulted in the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which is open to all countries that are willing and able to implement its requirements.
The Kimberley Process has 54 participants, representing 80 countries and its members account for approximately 99.8 percent of the global production of rough diamonds.
"Our continent was being torn apart leading up to 2003. Wars were raging across Africa, fuelled by trade in diamonds that did nothing to benefit the man on the street,” said Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, chairperson of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
"South Africa had the vision to be one of the founding members of the Kimberley Process, with the express aim of stemming the flow of conflict diamonds and we've had notable success over the past 10 years.
“I look forward to welcoming my colleagues to this gathering, where we can reflect on those past successes whilst recommitting ourselves to 10 more years of doing our bit to ensure the reduction of conflict in Africa," said Nhlapo.
Benefits of the Kimberley Process
One of the most notable achievements of the Kimberley Process has been its effect on people's lives. It has been instrumental in increasing the revenues of poor governments, and helped them to address their countries' developmental challenges.
In Sierra Leone, legal exports have increased a hundredfold since the end of the war in 2002, bringing enhanced benefits to the estimated 10 percent of the population who depend on the diamond industry.
"We have seen how the legal trade in diamonds can benefit ordinary citizens towards a better life for all. Africa is a continent that is rich in minerals and it is our responsibility to ensure that these minerals contribute towards the development of our continent, not its destruction,” said Shabangu.
“The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme has been hailed as an exemplary Peer Review Mechanism and we’re proud to be one of its founding members.
“South Africa is even more proud to have been elected to chair the Kimberley Process for the second time. I wish the serenity of the Northern Cape and the hospitality of my fellow countrymen will help Ambassador Nhlapo and his team to be effective in their deliberations,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
