IDMA calls for end to KP impasse

The International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) concluded its meetings at the 34th World Diamond Congress after passing two detailed resolutions related to the issue of Zimbabwe diamonds and the Kimberley Process.

In the first, the IDMA expressed the view that continued cooperation among the three pillars of the Kimberley Process Certification Schedule (KPCS) - governments, industry and civil society – was essential to the future of the diamond industry and reaffirmed its commitment to the highest ethical principles throughout the industry. Yet, IDMA recognized some operational shortcomings, and called for certain administrative and electoral reforms.

The second resolution was focused on the KPCS impasse on Zimbabwe, about which IDMA expressed deep concern. The organisation reiterated its strong support for the joint work plan agreed between KPCS and the government of Zimbabwe. IDMA called for immediate implementation of the KP monitor's recommendation to the working group monitoring (WGM) to certify the exports of those mining companies which meet the KPCS's members’ standards.

IDMA president Moti Ganz said that it must be clear that trade in non-KP certified rough diamonds remains and must remain strictly prohibited. "During our deliberations in the past days here in Moscow, the IDMA membership reiterated its unequivocal support of the policies and actions undertaken by the World Diamond Council (WDC) and expressed in the strongest possible terms our genuine support for human rights and sustainable, long-term development for all people involved in the diamond supply chain, and the desire that they benefit from their labors,'' Ganz noted.

Referring to the International Diamond Board (IDB), Ganz said, "It seems that all parties that been asked to support this important venture understand the value of the creation of an entity that will advance generic diamond promotion and advertising projects in the global diamond jewellery consumer markets,'' Ganz said. "IDMA sincerely hopes that the parties involved will make significant progress soon.''

He also expressed appreciation for the invitation extended by the Botswana government and the diamond industry there to IDMA to host its 2011 Presidents' Meeting there.

The IDMA members voted for their board with three re-elections going to Ganz as president, Ronnie VanderLinden as secretary-general, and Stephane Fischler as treasurer. Eduard Denckens, Ronald Friedman, Vasant Mehta and Maxim Shkadov were all elected to serve as vice presidents. Ben Kinzler, general counsel of the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA), was appointed as (IDMA) Legal Counsel.