Delegates from 35 countries discuss ways to strengthen the KPCS
17 Jun '08
2 min read
Shri G.K. Pillai, Commerce Secretary, is scheduled to address at the Opening Session of the 5th Intersessional meeting of the Kimberley Process here tomorrow.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds.
It aims to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, while helping to protect legitimate trade in rough diamonds.
Delegates from about 35 countries will be attending the Intersessional meeting and participate in the various joint sessions to take stock of the progress made in implementation of KPCS and discuss ways to strengthen the Scheme.
Global organizations like World Diamond Council (WDC), Global Witness (GW), Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) and United Nations will also be participating in the 3-day Conference.
India is sixth in succession to hold the Chair of KPCS after South Africa, Canada, Russian Federation, Botswana and European Commission.
All the Working Groups of KPCS meet at the Intersessional meeting to take a half-yearly stock of the implementation of the Scheme and for planning for the year ahead.
The Intersessional is structured around working group meetings and does the background work for the decisions to be taken in the Plenary.
On 1.1.2008 India assumed the chair of the Kimberley Process Certificate Scheme (KPCS) for the period 1.1.2008 to 31.12.2008.
In November 2006, during the plenary of KPCS in Botswana, India was unanimously selected to hold the Vice Chair of the Scheme for 2007 and therefore, Chair of the Scheme for 2008. Namibia is the Vice Chair for 2008.
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