Let me begin by expressing our gratitude
to the People's Republic of China for its Chairmanship and able stewardship of the Kimberley Process
in 2014, and the important contribution it made to curb the trade in conflict
diamonds. This year has seen many achievements, including the strengthening of
the implementation of the peer review system, the enhanced transparency and
accuracy of statistics, and the increased involvement by Governments, industry,
and civil society in the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.
I would also like to extend Israel’s
welcome to the incoming Chair, Angola. We look forward to engaging closely in
the coming year.
Mr. President,
Diamonds are formed in a particular
context of chemical compounds and minerals, heated and crystallized over many
years. Conflict diamonds, are also
created in a specific context - poverty, oppression, and violence.
For decades, conflict diamonds were used
as a tool of warfare and a source of cash flow for warlords. Just 14 years ago, diamonds obtained under
the most terrible human conditions were being used to fund civil wars.
From Angola to Liberia and from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo to Sierra Leone, blood diamonds undermined
legitimate governments and led to the enslavement and death of millions of
innocent men, women, and children.
Diamonds may be a luxury for
millions of people around the world, but we – the international community – don’t
have the luxury of ignoring gross human rights violations.
Eleven years ago, an alliance of
governments, industry and civil society members united to address the crisis. Recognizing
the need to responsibly oversee the mining, refining, and merchandising
of diamonds, the Kimberley Process was born.
The idea was to create a process as transparent
as the diamonds being certified. It
would assure buyers that the diamonds they purchased were free from violence
and human rights abuses.
Thanks to a global commitment matched by
global action, 99% of diamonds sold today are certified conflict-free. This
dramatic accomplishment proves that nations can do well by doing
good. Consider the following - if we
had this success in the mining industry, it means that we can replicate our
success in the oil, energy, coffee, and other natural resource industries.
Mr. President,
As the world’s leading exporter of
diamonds and the third largest trading center for diamonds, Israel was one of
the first countries to raise awareness about conflict diamonds, one of the
first countries to play a part in establishing the Kimberley Process, and the
first country to issue a certificate when the Kimberley Process went into
effect in 2003.
Today, we are just as committed to
ensuring that each and every diamond is certified as “conflict-free” throughout
its entire lifecycle – from the mine to the display case.
Israel would like to warmly congratulate
Cote d'Ivoire for implementing the requirements of the Security Council
resolutions and for moving towards an early resumption of the international
trade of its rough diamonds. We will continue to follow Cote d'Ivoire's
progress as it implements its plan of action and creates the necessary
conditions for a significant export of the Ivorian rough diamonds.
Israel would also like to acknowledge the
progress made by the Central African Republic in addressing issues of
non-compliance with the Kimberly Process Certification requirements. We
strongly encourage further cooperation with the African Union and relevant UN
bodies as the CAR strengthens its internal control system.
Israel also reaffirms the importance of
the tripartite nature of the Kimberly Process. Civil society must be fully
involved in the Kimberly Process, particularly in monitoring implementation on
the ground. The Kimberly Process
must also enhance collaboration with diamond industry association,
international organizations, and enforcement agencies. All of these
stakeholders benefit from exchanging information.
Mr. President,
Millions of people – from small-scale miners
to heavy equipment operators and from cutters to polishers - rely on the
diamond trade for their livelihoods. When managed and traded responsibly, legally
mined diamonds can accelerate development and improve living standards for
millions of people.
And so we have a duty. We have a duty to
the miners who depend on diamonds for their livelihoods. We have a duty to the nations blessed with
natural resources to demonstrate that prosperity can replace poverty. And we have a duty to future generations to ensure
that cooperation triumphs over conflict.
Thank you, Mr. President.