The Department of Minerals Resources in conjunction with the South African Liaison Office (SALO) will on Thursday, host a stakeholder seminar on conflict focusing on the role of illicit diamond trade in fuelling conflict, within the continent.
The Chairperson of the Kimberly Process (KP) South Africa, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, a leading South African diplomat and former national security advisor to the South African President will make a presentation to the gathering.
South Africa took over the chairpersonship from the 1st January 2013 which is coinciding with 10th Anniversary of Kimberly Process (KP). Ambassador Nhlapo will present the purpose and also unfold the plan of action for KP for 2013 as a host country. South Africa as one of the founding members of the KPCS and also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the KPCS as well as the harmonisation of the regulatory framework relating to the sale and export of diamonds.
The KPCS was established when diamond producing countries convened in Kimberley, South Africa in May 2000, to discuss ways to stem the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ and ensure that the diamond trade was not fuelling armed conflicts. In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark Resolution 55/56 of 2000, which supported the establishment of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds.
By November 2002, negotiations between governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organisations resulted in the creation of the KPCS, which was launched in Kimberley, South Africa in 2003.
Members of the meeting are invited to attend the seminar which will take place as follows:
Date: 31 January 2013
Venue: Burgers Park Hotel, Van der Walt Street, Pretoria
Time: 08h00
Members of the media may RSVP to the following DMR Offices: Solomon phetla at 076 765 3863 and Trevor Hattingh on 072 616 00 76
For enquiries please contact:
Ms Zingaphi Jakuja
Cell: 082 766 3940
