ZIMBABWE on Friday assumed the chairmanship of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for 2023.
This comes at a time when the country is angling towards achieving a US$12 billion mining economy by 2023, with diamonds expected to contribute significantly to the target.
Established in 2003 following the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1459, the KPCS regulates transactions in rough diamonds to increase transparency and eliminate trade in conflict diamonds. In his acceptance speech at the KPCS meeting in Botswana on Friday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said Zimbabwe is ready to host the next KPCS summit in Victoria Falls next year.
“On behalf of the Republic of Zimbabwe, we are honoured to accept the KP chairmanship for 2023,” said Minister Chitando.
“We were touched by the trust of the KP family in accepting us as KP vice chair, which resulted in us doing a self-assessment, followed by a review visit by the KP family. All this was in preparation for us taking over as KP chair 2023.
“We will diligently work closely with the working groups and committees to deliver on areas such as KP review cycle so that we build the KP we want.”
He said during his tenure, the KP, as agreed, will focus on identified reform areas that include definition, technical assistance, community involvement and strengthening KP governance, which will be spearheaded by an ad hoc committee on review and reform.
Minister Chitando said the KP review cycle, which is starting next year, is a critical stage for repositioning the certification scheme to remain relevant in the global rough diamond trade.
“We can assure you that the Republic of Zimbabwe as the KP chair will aim for a successful start to the review cycle. We will seek to achieve consensus in reaching all decisions as per KP rules. It is our commitment to leave a positive impact on the KP, as well as a lasting legacy,” he said.
KP has 56 participants representing 82 countries, with the European Union and its member states counted as a single participant.
In taking over the KPCS chairmanship, Zimbabwe succeeded Angola and will be deputised by the United Arab Emirates. The country expects to increase diamond production to 11 million carats by 2023, up from 4,2 million carats produced in 2021. – The Sunday Mail
