Amongst the other decisions and other points of agreement reached by the recently concluded KP Plenary was the resumption of participation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the Kimberley Process after a period of around eight years. It was in 2008 that the country had withdrawn from the KPCS after allegations were made regarding  sale of diamonds without KP certificates from its shores.

The  Final Communiqué of the 2016 KP  Plenary,  while announcing  the re-admission of Venezuela back in to the fold, also stated  that the country was “committed to host a Review Visit no later than 6 months after the resumption of exports in which Ukraine will be invited to participate”.

The Communique added: “In that regard, the Plenary noted the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s express commitment to and interest in hosting a review visit and welcoming of Ukraine’s participation in the review visit.”