WFDB says consensus is a convincing victory for the KP

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) commended the consensus reached at the KP mini-summit, which allows Zimbabwe to carry out supervised exports of diamonds from its Marange deposit. The WFDB called it "a convincing victory for the Kimberley Process."

"The agreement was the result of persistence and a readiness to continue talking and listening to one another, for as long as it takes," said WFDB President Avi Paz, who was closely involved in the negotiations. "It also offers conclusive proof of the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process. For nine months the KP blocked Marange exports, until such time that the country could demonstrate that it was in compliance with KP demands. The Kimberley Process showed that it has real muscle and that it is able to achieve results. The Government of Zimbabwe should also be commended for its flexibility and readiness to find common ground with the KP."

"Just as importantly, the agreement paved the way for the people of Zimbabwe to legitimately benefit from their country's rich diamond resources. That ultimately is KP's truest value. All the people who were involved in the agreement can be proud over what they have achieved," he added.

The mini-summit was held along side the 7th Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council, in St. Petersburg.