The KP Intersessional meeting with India as KP Chair for 2019, concluded successfully in Mumbai today with AlokVardhanChaturvedi, KP Chair and Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) addressing the closing session attended by nearly 200 delegates from 82 countries. He noted that there was a productive sharing of ideas to forge the way forward for KP.

The meeting which started on 17th June was attended by delegations from US, Russian Federation, European Union, Canada, China, Israel, Australia, UAE, and several producing countries from Africa – Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Angola, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic, Botswana, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Namibia, South Africa, Togo & Lesotho and others.

The Kimberley Process Chairmanship 2019 India event was organized by the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; and co-organised by Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

In his concluding speech, AlokVardhanChaturvedi, KP Chair (India) and DGFT, said, “There has been a good exchange and ideas, discussions and deliberations, listening & learning, debates, dialogues in the true KP tradition of productive sharing of ideas to forge the way forward for KP. We are grateful to the global diamond community and the representatives of the civil society coalition for their presence and active participation. The knowledge, experience and expertise that each one of you brings to the table is phenomenal and so is your collective effort. The commitment and contribution to usher in transformational change has been of the highest order.”

Among the highlights of the five-day Intersessional, the KP Chair mentioned the special forums on Diamond Terminology and ’Artisanal Mining – Small Steps to Larger Outcomes’.

Chaturvedi said, “The GemFair session showcased transparency to empower local communities. There were presentations on Indian Government’s Common Facility Centres initiative, which enabled pooling of resources for small and medium jewellery enterprises. There were insightful learnings in the special forums such as the chain of custody by Mumbai’s Dabbawalas and trusted delivery as exemplified by the Angadias. There were presentations on the mapping of the workforce through Parichay ID card and taking care of them through Swathya-Rathna health insurance scheme.”

Stephane Fischler (President, World Diamond Council) and ShamisoMtisi (Coordinator of the KP Civil Society Coalition) also addressed the closing session. Rupa Dutta, Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, proposed the vote of thanks.

The KP statement said that the 2019 Intersessionalsaw progress in many areas including deepening ongoing discussions on the scope, finalization of Terms of Reference for Permanent Secretariat, draft Administrative Decision (AD) on Peer Review Mechanism, reconciliation guidance document and capturing of data for Artisanal Mining, new independent observer, more clear directions for MDTF and Consolidation of Core Document. KP delegates would again meet in New Delhi for the Plenary session in November 2019.