The World Diamond Council (WDC) has had “open and robust discussions” in an effort to update its definition of conflict diamonds.
Feriel Zerouki, the new WDC president who succeeded Edward Asscher, expressed optimism about the developments achieved at the four-day 2023 Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
In her final presentation, she stated, “We feel that an expansion on the definition of conflict diamonds is vital and the KP has been given the mandate to broaden it.
“There is cause for encouragement given the manner in which the definition conversations have been conducted thus far.
As we’ve seen this week, by having honest and thorough dialogues, we’ve established the essential psychological safety to express ideas and support for the reform.
She said a sub-team on was working on the issue of what constitutes a “conflict diamond”.
The current definition, unchanged in 20 years is: “Rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments, as described in relevant resolutions by the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly.”