KP Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem recently visited Angola and South Africa recently to discuss first-hand the progress that diamond producing nations are making in complying with Kimberley Process mandates. During the visits Bin Sulayem met President José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola and Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, South African Minister of Mineral Resources.

Both countries are founding members of the Kimberley Process. This was the second phase of the Africa Initiative taken up by him, following an earlier visit to Central African Republic).

In Angola, the KP Chair held discussions about Venezuela’s re-admission to the KP family and applauded President Santos for the commitment made by Angola, Chair of the Committee on Participation and Chairmanship, in helping Venezuela.

President Santos commended Bin Sulayem on achievements in Africa so far, especially the resumption of rough diamond exports from a single zone of Central African Republic, with the possible further development of three more zones currently in the process of complying with KP mandates.

Over the last three years, Angola has been among the Top 5 suppliers of rough diamonds to the UAE, and in 2015 it supplied over six million carats.

Bin Sulayem said, “Meeting President José Eduardo dos Santos has provided us with a first-hand account of his country’s continuing development in support of Kimberley Process mandates – and its concerted efforts to uphold certification of rough diamonds.”

In South Africa, Minister Zwane remarked:  “As the cradle of the Kimberley Process, South Africa was encouraged by the progressive steps taken by the UAE KP Chair in both Venezuela and the Central African Republic. We look forward to take up the lead of the Working Group for Monitoring from 2017, and will work together hand in hand to improve the great work the KP has done since its inception”.

Bin Sulayem made it very clear that he wants to prioritise the strengthening relationships being built with African states during his tenure as the 2016 KP Chair. He therefore plans more ‘UAE KP Chair 2016’ visits to Africa.

Pic Caption: KP Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem with José Eduardo dos Santos, President of Angola Courtesy: KP