In November 2015, the KP organisation had officially endorsed UAE’s chairmanship of the body in 2016. According to convention, the relevant authority of that country -  in this case the UAE Ministry of Economy – has  announced the appointment of  Dubal Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Chairman, Ahmed Bin Sulayem as the next KP Chair. He will take up this post from the beginning of the next year.

“The UAE is honoured to have been elected KP chair by its fellow members,”   Abdullah Al Saleh, the undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy,  is quoted by media sources as saying while  formally announcing  the appointment.  “Mr Bin Sulayem has led Dubai’s drive to become a global commodities hub for over a decade and has a deep understanding of the diamond industry.”

He went on to say: “2016 will be a unique opportunity for all KP participants to get first-hand experience of the UAE’s and Dubai’s infrastructure and trading community. We look forward to building upon the KP’s success to date as well as implementing new initiatives.”

In response to his appointment Bin Sulayem is quoted by media as saying: "The UAE will use this opportunity to focus on areas that will have the greatest impact on growth and development, in addition to sustaining the core values of the organisation."

Further, Bin  Sulayem added that he would aim “to strengthen ties between government, industry decision makers and the KP’s civil society, which includes representatives from key NGOs”; while expressing his wish  “to assist newly admitted countries, along with those that seek to join the KP, with technical assistance, training and consensus building through seminars and conferences”.