Media releases
Wednesday 6 November 2002 - MVT143/2002
Australia Joins International Effort to Reduce Trade in "Conflict"
Diamonds
Australia has joined international efforts to prevent illegal trade
in rough diamonds from financing war and civil conflict in Africa.
On 5 November 2002, Australia joined an arrangement - known as the
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds - in Interlaken,
Switzerland, that aims to reduce the trade of so-called 'conflict'
diamonds.
Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance
conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
Australia has participated in the development of this United Nations
General Assembly sanctioned Scheme in consultation with the Australian
diamond industry and non-government organizations. We have also played
an active role in encouraging other governments to join the Scheme.
The Scheme is a positive step in reducing the ability of rebel movements
to acquire the arms that have fuelled civil wars and conflicts in
several African nations.
The Scheme will ban trade in rough diamonds with non-participants.
Rough diamond import and export shipments will need to be accompanied
by a certificate declaring that the shipment has been handled in accordance
with the scheme.
Australia is a major supplier of rough diamonds, with exports totaling
more than $600 million in 2001. This arrangement balances the need
to prevent trade in conflict diamonds while facilitating the legitimate
rough diamond trade.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Industry,
Tourism and Resources, and the Australian Customs Service are working
closely together with industry to implement the arrangement on 1 January
2003.
Participants at the meeting in Interlaken were Angola, Australia,
Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Ctte d'Ivoire, People's Republic
of China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, the
European Community, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, India, Israel, Japan, Republic
of Korea, Lesotho, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, the
Philippines, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland,
Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the
United States of America and Zimbabwe. Observers included the World
Diamond Council, Amnesty International, Global Witness, Actionaid
and Partnership for Africa.
Media Contact: Robyn Bain +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 13:52:40 EST
