At the conclusion of the 2009 Presidents’ Meeting — held in Antwerp, November 15-18 — the presidents of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) issued a statement which emphasized the organizations’ unequivocal commitment and determination to uphold the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the principles of the World Diamond Council of which IDMA and the WFDB are co-founding members.
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In their statement, the presidents said that after intensive discussions, they resolved to send a clear message to the players in the diamond supply chain.
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“IDMA and the WFDB reconfirm their commitment to end and prevent the use of rough diamonds for the purpose of funding conflict, anywhere in the world. We reiterate that our endorsement of the Kimberley Process, the World Diamond Council and the Supportive System of Warranties remains strong,” they declared.
The organizations stated that the KP has prevented and will continue to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds into the legitimate markets. To that extent, the organizations expect full and timely implementation of the stringent controls that were agreed at the KP Plenary meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia, November 5, 2009.
IDMA and WFDB noted the decision of Zimbabwe not to export rough diamonds from Marange pending full implementation of the monitoring system. Any member who trades in rough diamonds from Marange prior to the full implementation of this monitoring system and in full compliance of the KP resolution will be subject to expulsion. "
The attending IDMA and WFDB presidents further stated that any human rights abuses linked to diamond mining and processing cannot and will not be tolerated.
