(IDEX Online News) – The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) paid tribute to 23 people who were involved in the establishment of the organization a decade ago at the intersessional meeting under the chair of South Africa.

 

The June 4-7 meeting was held under the theme of 10 years of stemming the flow of conflict diamonds.

 

The KPCS meeting was held on the tenth anniversary of its inception, in the town where it was established and for which it was named. At a commemoration event at the Tabernacle Church, which served as a venue for the original meeting of the KPCS, 23 individuals who had attended the very first meeting were honored for the role they played in building the KPCS from its infancy.

 

Speaking at the closing of the meeting, South Africa's Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, said, "The intersessional meeting had a dual purpose. The first was to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of KPCS and the second to ensure that it continues to effectively fulfill the role for which it was created.

 

“The intercessional meeting acknowledged the significant impact that the KPCS has had in the last decade on the global trade in rough diamonds. It was recognized that the scheme has, within its existing mandate, been successful in minimizing the trade in what has come to be known as conflict diamonds. It has also had a significant developmental impact in improving the lives of people dependent of the trade in diamonds."

 

The meeting heard the results of review missions and visits to ascertain compliance with the KPCS was considered including the possibility of further review missions to Cote d'Ivoire and the Central African Republic amongst others. Technical support for KPCS compliance as well as creating public awareness of its activities was also discussed.

 

Recommendations emanating from the intercessional meeting will be considered at the plenary meeting of the KPCS to be held later this year in South Africa.

 

The 23 people are: Jacob Thomage, Mark Van Bockstael, Peter Meeus, Beat Frei, Paula Mvika, Roland Vock, Metzger Fabienne, Igor Driesmans, Kennedy Hamatenya, Andrew Bone, Martin Mononela, Nick Jagger, Udi Sheintal, Mattheu Yamba, Alan Martin, Weizhang Liang, Samir Nahaas, Andrey Glinov, Sabyasachi Ray, Manne Dipico, Cecilia Gardner, Thes Fatimata and Frieda Coosemans.