A new facility for the Kimberley Process (KP) has opened in Botswana, aiming to enhance the diamond trade’s integrity. The office will begin with a team of up to five staff members, serving as a central hub for institutional memory and continuity. It will provide crucial support for KP working groups and member countries. Bojun Tang has been appointed to lead the new office.
The inauguration ceremony took place with notable attendees, including Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi. This event followed a courtesy visit to Botswana’s President, HE Dr. Mokgweeti E.K. Masisi, during which Botswana reaffirmed its commitment to the KP. The ceremony was attended by government officials, industry leaders, and representatives from several countries, including Angola, China, the EU, Russia, Ukraine, and the UK.
In his speech, Bin Sulayem emphasized the significance of the new office. He stated, “The opening of the KP Secretariat represents a historic milestone for the diamond trade and the Kimberley Process. This new office will be vital in promoting unity and ensuring that diamonds continue to foster positive development across Africa, benefiting communities and economies alike. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of Botswana for its generous support in making this vision a reality.”
The KP operates a network of 59 diamond control offices worldwide, serving as the only framework to guarantee the legitimacy of the diamond trade. The new Secretariat will play a crucial role in advancing the KP’s mission to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the market, further strengthening the diamond industry’s integrity.
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