(IDEX Online) - The European Union has taken over as chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) as of today under the leadership of High Representative Vice President Federica Mogherini.
The EU was vice-chair last year when Australia headed the body. India is the vice-chair this year and will chair the organization in 2019.
Mogherini said: "For the European Union, the Kimberley Process is part of our work for sustainable development. It is part of our work for sustainable peace - to prevent new conflicts and cut the revenues of criminal and terrorist groups. It is part of our work for human rights - to make sure that diamonds produce wealth, not modern slavery. It has spread the idea that natural resources belong to communities, not militias. The main strength of the Kimberley Process has always been that it looks beyond governments, to civil society and to the private sector. This is our main asset as we chart the way ahead. We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders in this coming year."
The European Union last chaired the Kimberley Process in 2007.
The KP's Intercessional meeting will be held in Antwerp in June, and the Plenary meeting will take place in Brussels in November.