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KP Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem with José Eduardo dos Santos, President of Angola
In the second phase of his Africa Initiative, (with a tour of the Central African Republic already completed) the KP Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem has visited Angola and South Africa, the two founding countries of the Kimberly Process, to discuss first-hand the progress that diamond producing nations are making to comply with Kimberley Process mandates,
“Meeting President José Eduardo dos Santos has provided us with a first-hand account of his country’s continuing development in support of Kimberley Process mandates – and its concerted efforts to uphold certification of rough diamonds”.
In addition Mr. Bin Sulayem’s agenda included discussions about Venezuela’s re-admission to the KP family. He applauded President Santos for the commitment made by Angola, Chair of the Committee on Participation and Chairmanship, in helping Venezuela.
President Santos commended Mr.Bin Sulayem on achievements in Africa so far, especially with the developments in the Central African Republic, where there has been a resumption of rough diamond exports from a single zone, with the possible further development of three more zones currently in the process of complying with KP mandates.
Trade figures of rough diamond imports by the UAE, over the past three years, has seen Angola in the top five countries consistently, with 2015 showing imports from Angola in excess of six million carats.
Meeting Mr. Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, South African Minister of Mineral Resources, in Johannesburg, the KP Chair expanded on what had been achieved in the Central African republic and the steps being taken there to secure a more stable future.
Mr. Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, South African Minister of Mineral Resources and KP Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem
Minister Zwane remarked: “As the cradle of the Kimberley Process, South Africa was encouraged by the progressive steps taken by the UAE KP Chair in both Venezuela and the Central African Republic. We look forward to take up the lead of the Working Group for Monitoring from 2017, and will work together hand in hand to improve the great work the KP has done since its inception”.
Mr. Bin Sulayem made it very clear that he wants to prioritise the strengthening relationships being built with African states during his tenure as the 2016 KP Chair.
More ‘UAE KP Chair 2016’ visits are planned to Africa, in the next phase of Mr. Bin Sulayem’s Africa Initiative.
About the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is a collaborative initiative between governments, industry and civil society to stem the flow of conflict diamonds into the diamond trade. Started in 2000, the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in November 2002 laid the foundation for the KPCS by setting out the requirements for controlling rough diamond production and trade. It entered into force in 2003, when participating countries started to implement the rules. There are now 54 participants representing 81 countries including the UAE.
In 2003, the UAE adapted its Federal Law “Union Law no.13 Regarding Supervision of Import/Export and Transit of Rough Diamonds” and became the first Arab country to implement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The Kimberley Process office in DMCC is the entity authorised by the UAE Ministry of Economy to authenticate the ethical sourcing of rough diamonds traded in the country.
