EU Becomes Kimberley Process Chair

RAPAPORT... The European Union (EU) has taken over the chairmanship ofthe Kimberley Process (KP) for 2018, with Italian politician FedericaMogherini heading the operation.The leadership of the KP switches every year, with Australiataking charge in 2017 and the United Arab Emirates in 2016. India is the vicechair this year, and will become chair in 2019. "For the European Union, the Kimberley Process is part ofour work for sustainable development," Mogherini, the EU's High Representative forForeign Affairs and Security Policy (pictured), said in a statement Monday. "It is part ofour work for sustainable peace - to prevent new conflicts and cut therevenues of criminal and terrorist groups. It is part of our work for humanrights, to make sure that diamonds produce wealth, not modern slavery." The KP is a partnership of multiple governments, civilsociety and the diamond industry, aimed at ensuring a conflict-free diamond trade.Its participating member countries have served as chair on a rotating basissince its inception in 2002. The EU last chaired the organization in 2007. Under the KP, participating members adhere to internalcontrols over all rough-diamond imports and exports, and may only trade withother participating members.Image: Olaf Kosinsky/Skillshare.eu