The Kimberley Process, mandated by the UN, concludes historic special plenary in Dubai – Business, Economy, and Finance

The recent UN-mandated Kimberley Process (“KP”) Intersessional and special plenary held in Dubai, UAE, has concluded with significant progress made in key areas that will impact global trade in natural diamonds. The event, hosted at the Uptown Tower in Uptown Dubai, brought together industry representatives, civil society, and government officials from around the world.

One of the major achievements of the meeting was the decision to reinstate the Central African Republic to the Kimberley Process. The country had been banned from exporting and importing rough diamonds since 2013 due to ongoing unrest. Following the Special Plenary, a review mission has been scheduled for September 2024 to assess the situation on the ground. This move has been welcomed by the KP Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who has been advocating for a review mission in light of improving security conditions in the Central African Republic.

In addition to administrative decisions and best practices being adopted, a sideline event focused on provenance, traceability, and technology in the diamond trade. Participants explored innovative technologies and traceability solutions to address future challenges in the industry.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the UAE’s Kimberley Process Chair, expressed his satisfaction with the collaborative spirit and commitment to driving change within the KP. He highlighted the UAE’s efforts to overcome political obstacles and implement concrete actions, such as establishing a permanent secretariat in Botswana and completing the KP review and reform cycle.

Representatives from civil society also shared their perspectives on the progress made during the event. Jaff Bamenjo, representing the Civil Society Coalition, noted the incremental but significant progress regarding the Central African Republic. The renewed engagement of the CAR government with the monitoring team signals a positive step towards cooperation and compliance with KP regulations.

Feriel Zerouki, President of the World Diamond Council, emphasized the positive impact of natural diamonds on development, citing examples of how diamonds have supported education, healthcare, and livelihoods in countries like Botswana. She also expressed satisfaction with the discussions on the Central African Republic and the plans for the upcoming Review Mission in the country.

Overall, the KP Intersessional and special plenary in Dubai marked a milestone in the efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the global diamond trade. The collaborative efforts of industry stakeholders, civil society, and government representatives have set the stage for continued progress and cooperation within the Kimberley Process.