Botswana activists have been unable to blame Russia at this week's conference, but the Kimberley Process aimed at preventing diamonds from funding the war. Blame.
The European Union (EU) and its allies sought to expand the definition of conflict diamonds to include Russia, the top supplier of the invasion of Ukraine.
At a week-long meeting in the resort town of Kasane, the push to blame Russian diamonds was empty.
The EU, Ukraine, and the United States wanted to broaden the definition of conflict diamonds at a meeting during the Kimberley Process session following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.
Russia is the largest diamond producer in the world.
At the closing ceremony on Friday, Kimberley Process Chair Jacobutamage said the efforts of the EU and its allies were unsuccessful due to lack of consensus.
"Remember that when it started on Monday afternoon, it took a long time to reach a consensus on the agenda, as the EU initially proposed to include the agenda item. "Consensus has been submitted," said Tamage. "Ideas and suggestions for inclusion in the agenda have been submitted. For example, those who supported the EU's first proposal said they would prevent diamonds from fostering conflict. I have a revised proposal. ”
World Diamond Council President Edward Asher states that there is a need for reforms, especially with respect to the definition of conflict diamonds.
"There seems to be strong support for further reforms, including the definition of conflict diamonds, through our involvement with many government participants here in Kasane this year," Asher said. We are pleased to have a frank and honest dialogue on KP reforms sponsored by the Civil Society Union. We hope that this dialogue will continue within KP.
Asher states that despite recent criticisms, he is confident and convinced of the Kimberley Process, despite the loss of relevance of diamond industry groups.
However, Hans Market, a member of the Kimberley Process Citizens' Association, was disappointed with the outcome of the Botswana conference.
"In a consensus system, it's too easy for a minority to take everyone hostage. The consensus model is used to deny progress. The world is bypassing the Kimberley process.
Merket added that it was a pity that the debate over Russia's invasion of Ukraine was thwarted.
"I was expecting some debate about whether Russian diamonds should be considered conflict diamonds with the invasion of Ukraine," Mr. Market said. We have prepared to use veto to prevent KP from dealing with it. To make matters worse, we couldn't discuss what KP's general weaknesses are and how KP isn't enough to break the relationship between diamonds and fierce conflict. The world's leading diamond producers, drawn from
85, will return to Botswana in November to discuss the plenary session.
