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Overview
India
has assumed the Chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)
for the period 1/1/2008 to
31/12/2008.
The KPCS
requires each participant to impose internal controls over production and
trade of rough diamonds. Trading in rough diamonds with a non-participant is not
allowed. All exports of rough diamonds have to be accompanied by a valid KP
Certificate stating that diamonds are conflict free. KPCS currently has 48
member states including the European Community representing 27 member states.
Thus, it has a membership of 74 countries. All major diamond producing,
trading and polishing centres are members of KP. Civil Society and industry
groups also actively participate in the KP.
The UN General
Assembly adopted Resolution 55/56 in
December 2000 endorsing and legitimizing the Kimberley Process. The Security
Council also endorsed KPCS in its Resolution 1459 (20003). The Scheme was
formally launched at a Ministerial Meeting in Interlaken,
Switzerland in November
2002. The participants agreed to begin a simultaneous implementation of the
Certificate Scheme in January 2003.
India
will be sixth in succession to hold the Chair after South
Africa, Canada,
Russian Federation,
Botswana and
European Commission. India
is one of the founding members of KPCS. India
was the Vice Chair of the KPCS for 2007. Namibia
has been selected as the Vice Chair for 2008.
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