The UAE Kimberley Process Chair 2016 Ahmed Bin Sulayem published a mid-term report, a first for the Kimberley Process. The report highlights key initiatives such as on-site visits to the major diamond producing nations of Africa, initiation of a series of Valuation Seminars and a proposal for the use of blockchain technology to help enhance security measures.

Included in the report is also a preview of activities for the remainder of the year including the KP Plenary meeting in Dubai between 13-17 November, where participants will discuss the future of the diamond industry.

“This year the Kimberley Process Chair has taken concrete steps to support the efforts of various groups and monitoring teams, to ensure that some of the world’s poorest diamond producing countries are able to join or come back into the KP family and receive a fair share of the revenues created by the mining and export of rough diamonds”, said Mr Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

Mr. Bin Sulayem, KP Chair since January 2016, has been pro-active in upholding the principles of the Kimberley Process remit, to facilitate the legitimate mining and trading of rough diamonds, and in working closely with governments and KP working groups to promote and enhance ethical and best practices. “Raising global awareness of the work of the KP is key to not only report achievements, but to demonstrate how we are working to stem the flow of conflict diamonds, protect the rights of miners and improve conditions for their families in countries concerned in diamond mining and production”, added Bin Sulayem.

The Kimberly Process chairmanship 2016 is under the auspices of the UAE Ministry of Economy.