Who participates in the KP?

Currently, the KP has 49 members which represent 75 countries. These include large developing countries such as China and India as well as the European Community. Other important member countries are Ivory Coast, the DRC, Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Zimbabwe as they were or currently are associated with the production and/or trading of conflict diamonds. The international diamond industry is represented in the KP by the World Diamond Council. Civil society organisations are participating as observers and have played an important role since the creation of the KP. The Civil Society Coalition includes Global Witness (UK), Partnership-Africa Canada (Canada), Fatal Transactions (Germany) and the following Southern NGOs: CECIDE, Guinea; CEJP, Angola; CENADEP and GAERN, RD Congo; CRD, Zimbabwe; CLONG, Congo; COOPERGAC, Brazil; Green Advocates, Liberia, GRPIE, Côte d'Ivoire; NACE and NMJD, Sierra Leone.

Since 1st of January 2011 the KP is chaired by the Democratic Republic of Congo. The chair rotates annually amongst member countries. Thus far, South Africa, Canada, Russia, Botswana, the European Community, India, Namibia and Israel have chaired the KP. Twice a year the participating countries together with the industry and civil society observers meet at intersessional and plenary meetings. Various working groups and committees meet on a more regular basis.

Links

Click here for a more elaborate description of KP's background.

Find which countries participate in the KP .

More information on problems associated with diamond mining.