23rd April 2024
Sello Motseta
Botswana’s Minister of Mineral and Minister of Minerals and Energy Lefoko Moagi has described the attempts by G 7 countries to compel rough diamond producer countries in Sub Saharan countries to route diamond certification processes through Belgium, Antwerp to curtail the arbitrary infiltration of Russian diamonds, as an assault on the tried and tested Kimberely Process.
“We saw this as an assault on producer countries,” said Moagi. He said, “G7 has been invited to come and look at Kimberlely Process pipeline and examine the process. “
Moagi indicated that the G 7 countries are yet to report their findings and that Namibia, Botswana and Angola seek dialogue with G 7 countries on the process.
Moagi made these remarks today at signing of the of country agreement between the Government of Botswana and the Kimberely Process Secretariat. Since its establishment in 2003, the Kimberely Process has been operating without a permanent secretariat, largely due to the lack of consensus among participants on the modalities of establishing the Secretariat.
The decision to establish the Secretariat in Botswana is regarded locally as a significant expression of confidence the diamond industry has placed in Botswana’s governance of diamond mining.
The Kimberely Process is an international and multi stakeholder arrangement comprising governments, the diamond industry and civil society.
The Kimberely process aims to increase ethical conduct in diamond trade and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade in rough diamonds.
Chinese national Bojun Tan has been appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat by consensus during the Kimberely Process plenary meeting in November 2023. He accepted his appointed in March 2024 and assumed the role in April 2024.
“Establishing the permanent secretariat was one of the core goals for the UAE’s Year of Delivery in 2024 and in addition to providing key momentum ahead of our KP intersessional meeting in May, will ensure the KP can continue to operate more autonomously and effectively in the long term,” said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the UAE’s Char of the Kimberely Process for 2024.
The Host Country Agreement is an important instrument, formalising the terms on which the Kimberely Process Secretariat will be hosted.
