The four-day Plenary Meeting of the Kimberley Process that ended at Guangzhou on November 14 saw intense discussion and debate on a number of issues including the election of a new Vice Chair, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report etc.

 As no consensus was reached, the issue of selection of vice chair from UAE & Australia for 2015 was forwarded to the KP Chair’s office for further consultation.

 Similarly, on the issue of the FATF - Egmont Report, the Communiqué indicated that the KP bodies will assess the relevant recommendations related to risks associated with the supply chain of rough diamonds of the report in the context of their ongoing efforts to further strengthen KPCS implementation.

The Plenary also noted the commitment of KP bodies to continue dialogue on decision-making and the conflict diamond definition in accordance with the 2013 Johannesburg Plenary Communiqué.

 The meeting discussed other issues and reports presented by the Working Groups. The Terms of reference of few working bodies, various administrative, and procedural decisions were finalised.

 The KP is now comprised of 54 participants representing 81 nations. Angola will take charge as the new Chair of the KP on January 1, 2015.

Being one of the founding members of KP and a constituent of World Diamond Council, GJEPC participated in all the sessions of the Plenary and its breakaway meetings. It strived for building the consensus amongst the members on the question of Vice Chair and was of the opinion that the tradition of nominating chairs alternatively between producing countries and manufacturing/trading countries should continue.

 Also India’s active help in framing terms of reference for the Working Group of Statistics and template for writing and analysing annual reports of participating countries was greatly appreciated.

The Indian contingent also made a presentation on the World Diamond Conference to be held at New Delhi on 11th and 12th of December during one of the Gala dinners of the Plenary Meeting.

Photo Caption: Members of the Indian and Chinese delegations at an interaction during the KP Plenary