PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
SourcingDec 07, 2017
Ahead of KP Plenary, the WDC Calls for Productive Dialogue
Kimberley Process participants need to start talking about broadening the scope of the process, the World Diamond Council’s acting president said.
New York--The World Diamond Council is calling for productive dialogue and the need for reform in the Kimberley Process ahead of the KP’s annual meeting, which is scheduled to begin Friday in Australia.
Speaking via conference call Wednesday morning, acting WDC President Stephane Fischler told reporters that there are three areas in need of reform within the KP, and No. 1 is broadening the scope of the process.
Currently, the KP defines “conflict” diamonds as those used by rebel groups to fund conflict against legitimate governments. But, as Fischler noted Wednesday, “We [the WDC] believe the nature of conflict has changed and so the scope should realign with that.”
In an interview via phone with National Jeweler later in the day, he elaborated.
The situation today is that there is less much rebel activity, Fischler said, and much more systematic, disruptive violence, particularly in artisanal diamond mining areas.
Members of the KP need to start listening more carefully to the countries where this type of violence is happening and work to make a difference on the ground, he said.
And the process itself needs to become more proactive than reactive, flagging areas of diamond production when the situation becomes unstable, instead of waiting until actual conflict has broken out.
The expanded definition was voted down at the meeting held in Washington that November.
Fischler told National Jeweler Wednesday that he doesn’t know if that vote was against the inclusion of human rights language so much as it was a “generic reluctance” to change the core focus of the definition, given that the KP has been very successful in doing what it set out to do--eradicate conflict diamonds as originally defined.
He said what the WDC is putting on the table now is broader--examining the general scope of the process, not just narrowly focusing on putting in more human rights language--and the organization isn’t looking to get bogged down in semantics. It’s open to all discussions on how to expand the KP’s reach.
While the WDC represents the diamond industry in the KP, the body does not have a vote; only the 81 countries that are KP members do. And under the KP’s complete consensus model, passing anything requires all 81 countries to agree to it.
When
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
asked how difficult he thinks it will be to pass a measure expanding the scope of the KP at the upcoming meeting, Fischler said the WDC doesn’t expect to come away from the plenary with a decision. The WDC is merely looking to start the discussion.
“This isn’t a 48-hour or even a week’s discussion,” he said. “This is an incremental progress type of debate.”
On Wednesday’s call with reporters, Fischler addressed another area of reform that is needed within the KP: the establishment of a permanent secretariat based in a neutral country.
As it stands, an administrative support mechanism is in place to handle the operational aspects of the Kimberley Process. It is a function that’s reassigned every year as the chair of the process is passed from country to country. (Australia is the 2017 chair nation. Next year, Vice Chair the European Union is set to take over and India will become vice chair.)
He said a permanent secretariat will ensure more continuity, essentially giving the KP a “memory,” and that all member countries should contribute toward the cost of funding it.
The idea of a permanent secretariat is one that has been on the table for a couple of years.
At last year’s plenary, confusion surrounded the vote on this issue.
Following the meeting, the UAE, which chaired the process last year, issued a press release heralding that the KP had reached a “historic agreement” that included voting to approve the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the process.
The issue, however, still seems to be on the table, given that its passage is one of the WDC’s list of needed reforms for the process.
Asked about the confusion surrounding the vote at last year’s plenary, Fischler said, “The idea was launched; it wasn’t worked out in the way that I believe it’s worked out now.”
The KP Plenary is scheduled to start this Friday, Dec. 9 and continue until the 14th in Brisbane, Australia.
“This isn’t a 48-hour or even a week’s discussion,” he said. “This is an incremental progress type of debate.”
On Wednesday’s call with reporters, Fischler addressed another area of reform that is needed within the KP: the establishment of a permanent secretariat based in a neutral country.
As it stands, an administrative support mechanism is in place to handle the operational aspects of the Kimberley Process. It is a function that’s reassigned every year as the chair of the process is passed from country to country. (Australia is the 2017 chair nation. Next year, Vice Chair the European Union is set to take over and India will become vice chair.)
He said a permanent secretariat will ensure more continuity, essentially giving the KP a “memory,” and that all member countries should contribute toward the cost of funding it.
The idea of a permanent secretariat is one that has been on the table for a couple of years.
At last year’s plenary, confusion surrounded the vote on this issue.
Following the meeting, the UAE, which chaired the process last year, issued a press release heralding that the KP had reached a “historic agreement” that included voting to approve the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the process.
The issue, however, still seems to be on the table, given that its passage is one of the WDC’s list of needed reforms for the process.
Asked about the confusion surrounding the vote at last year’s plenary, Fischler said, “The idea was launched; it wasn’t worked out in the way that I believe it’s worked out now.”
The KP Plenary is scheduled to start this Friday, Dec. 9 and continue until the 14th in Brisbane, Australia.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
