KP meeting ends in stalemate on Zimbabwe diamond exports
November 8, 2010 – A plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process (KP) was not able to reach an agreement regarding the export of diamonds originated in the Marange region of Zimbabwe.
The meeting, held from November 1-4, 2010, was attended by hundreds of delegates representing more than 70 countries, as well as human rights organisations and diamond industry groups.
Differing views among participants prevented the plenary from reaching a consensus-based conclusion as to whether Zimbabwe had in fact implemented the minimum KP standards in the diamond fields of Marange.
As a result, the plenary meeting was adjourned without reaching an agreement on this matter.
“Despite rigorous negotiations, regrettably the KP members were not able to bridge the gaps among them and were unsuccessful in their efforts to reach an agreement regarding the contentious issue of the Marange diamonds,” said Boaz Hirsch, Chair of the KP.
“We are, however, committed to reach a consensus that will enable Zimbabwe to restore its diamond exports within the KP framework. Achieving such a consensus is a formidable task, yet it is a task that lies at the heart of the KP. We will relentlessly continue pursuing an agreement.”
