KP Chair expresses gratitude for AWDC efforts at KP Plenary Meeting
In her opening speech, Ambassador Milovanovic, Chair of the Kimberley Process, acknowledged the AWDC for its financial and logistical support in achieving a key goal of the KP Chairmanship to enhance communication, transparency and information flow, both within the KP and towards its external stakeholders.
In his closing remarks, Assistant Secretary Fernandez joined the retiring KP Chair in thanking the AWDC for its valuable contribution to the development of the KP website.
In a statement on behalf of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the outcome of the Plenary meeting, the EU commends the AWDC for providing administrative support through the built-up of the KP website.
The Plenary Meeting in Washington reconfirmed the positive progress the Kimberley Process has made this year, stating that the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) remains a unique tool for conflict prevention and instrumental to ensure good governance and transparency at KP Participant level. The decision to lift the special monitoring measures with respect to the Marange mining area in Zimbabwe demonstrates the significant progress Zimbabwe has made to improve KP compliance.
The Final Communiqué of the KP Chair confirms the endorsement of the selection of the World Diamond Council to host the Kimberley Process Administrative Support Mechanism (ASM), commencing January 1st, 2013. The ASM will provide logistic, organizational and communications support to the KP on an ongoing basis. The WDC will set up the ASM in collaboration with four of their members, including the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.
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