Washington, D.C. - Representatives from the private, public, and non-governmental sectors met recently in a confidential setting to discuss the continuing implementation of the Kimberley Process, a scheme developed to prevent the illicit trade of conflict diamonds that have been used to fund civil wars in countries such as Angola, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Liberia.

The meeting was a bi-monthly plenary session of the Human Rights & Business Roundtable, a program of the Washington-based Fund for Peace, which works to prevent conflict and alleviate the conditions that cause war.

After two-years of development by stakeholders in the diamond industry, nongovernmental organizations, and numerous governments, The Kimberley Process was officially launched on January 1, 2003 to develop ways to ensure that diamonds are purchased from legitimate sources and are not used to fund conflict.

Both industry and NGO representatives credited the progress and the two-year development of the Kimberly Process to sustained collaboration between the two communities. While the diamond industry is unique in many ways, participants highlighted that the Kimberley Process could offer valuable lessons on "best practices" that could be applied to other public-private partnerships.

Participants noted that the test of the Kimberley Process' success would lie in its implementation. NGO representatives stressed their concerns that The Kimberley Process is in need of increased regulating and monitoring mechanisms. Industry, NGOs, and governments, will continue to collaborate on possible ways to strengthen the Kimberley Process.

The meeting was one of six case studies that will be analyzed in 2003 by The Fund for Peace Human Rights and Business Roundtable, as it identifies preventive strategies and best practices for multi-stakeholder partnerships. Through these case studies and other activities, the Roundtable aims to provide the international business and NGO communities with practical tools to navigate today's human rights challenges. A final report will be issued at the end of the year.

Launched in 1997, the Human Rights & Business Roundtable is the first forum designed for sustained dialogue between multinational businesses and mainstream human rights organizations on issues of concern in an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation and confidentiality. More about the Roundtable, including previous Newsletters and Membership List, available at our website: www.fundforpeace.org/programs/hrbrt/hrbrt.php

Details regarding the Kimberley Process available at its website: http://www.kimberleyprocess.com

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