KP Plenary: KP Plenary garners enthusiastic participation

The five day KP Plenary Meet held in New Delhi saw 55 participants from over 82 countries with India as the KP Chair.

Mandated by UN to reduce the flow of conflict diamonds which were being used to finance wars against legitimate governments, the five day Kimberley Process Plenary Meet was held at New Delhi on 22nd November this year. India is one of the founding members of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and is the KP Chair for 2019. This is the second time since 2008 that India has been entrusted with the responsibility and honour of being KP Chair. KP has 55 Participants, representing 82 countries, with the European Union represented collectively.

B B Swain, KP Chair and Additional Secretary, while addressing the gathering said, “India, as Kimberley Process Chair, is honoured & privileged to organize the 2019 - Kimberley Process Plenary Meeting in New Delhi - a city which is of great historical significance, an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political centre of India. I sincerely thank you all for reposing faith and trust in India. Since the launch in 2003, the Kimberley Process has contributed towards peace, security and prosperity. 2019 marks the sixteenth year of KPCS and we see KP as a unique family which brings together governments, industry and the civil society coalition through its tripartite structure. As KP Chair, we are committed to keep this family together, and to take its mandate forward through inclusive, deliberative and consensus-based decision-making approach.”

Commenting about the Indian gems and jewellery sector, he said, “India is the largest manufacturing centre of cut and polished diamonds. Being a major importer of rough diamonds, India has a unique position in between the producers of rough diamonds on one side and the consumers of cut & polished diamonds on the other.”