WGDE to progress the work in 2020: KP Plenary
KP Concludes, Update 2: India the KP Chair Kimberley Process hosted Plenary in New Delhi during November 18th & up to 22nd November 2019 was convened as the Sixteenth Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary Meeting.
The Plenary noted progress on the work of the Working Group on Diamond Expert (WGDE) on the promotion of the KP/2018/Plenary/Administrative Decision 04 on the Use of Unified Diamond Nomenclature and Terminology as a Best Practice, and welcomed the progress achieved with the World Customs Organisation in adopting separate HS Codes on natural and synthetic diamonds within the 2022 version of the Harmonized System.
The Plenary noted the plans of WGDE to progress the work in 2020 on the issues of fraudulent certificates, digitalization of KP certificates, valuation, harmonization of diamond powder identification and differentiation between rough and polished diamonds for customs purposes.
The Plenary welcomed the report of Committee on Rules and Procedures (CRP) on the work done in 2019. The Plenary noted the on-going work of the CRP for 2020, on the review of the 2003 Administrative Decision on «Rules of Procedure of Meetings of the Plenary, and its Ad Hoc Working Groups and Subsidiary Bodies» on the basis of previous years’ best practices, including the preparation of amendments to Section VII.
The Plenary noted the continuing of the work of the CRP for 2020 on the elaboration of the definition «conflict of interest», specified in paragraph 2.5 of the Administrative Decision on «KP Engagement with External Organizations» and Section 3, Annex II to the Administrative Decision on «KPCS Peer Review System» and the scope of its application.
The Plenary noted that CRP reminds the Working Bodies to follow relevant ADs regarding rules & procedures for endorsement of final decision. The Plenary welcomed the report of Working Group on Monitoring (WGM) on the work done in 2019.
Plenary acknowledged the finalisation and the adoption of the review visit reports of Thailand, New Zealand, Mauritius, Angola, Russian Federation, Switzerland, and Singapore. Appreciation is also extended to the review visit teams for completing the reports in order to monitor the implementation of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
It was noted that the review visit reports of India, European Union, Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of Congo that were long overdue since 2015 and 2016 have been finalized and adopted. However, the report of review visit to Cameroon which took place in 2016 is still outstanding.
The Plenary welcomed the submission of all the Annual Reports by Participants and Observers for the 2018 calendar year. The Plenary further acknowledged and commended the Participants and Observers for submitting reports as an indication of commitment to the implementation of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
The Plenary further acknowledged the finalization of the assessment of 2017 and 2018 Annual Reports and acknowledged the work of the WGM members to monitor the implementation of the requirements of KPCS. The Plenary noted and thanked the Republic of South Africa, Canada, Cambodia, Switzerland and Singapore for hosting review visits during 2019 calendar year.
The Plenary further appreciated the leadership of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, Angola in the aforementioned review visits. The above listed Participants will be expected to provide reports on their implementation of the review visit recommendations at the upcoming 2020 Intersessional meeting and provide progress on Annual Reports.
Plenary acknowledged the intentions of People’s Republic of China, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone, to host review visits in 2020 and review mission to Central Africa Republic after 6 months.
