UAE task force reaffirms commitment to the Kimberley Process

DUBAI

UAE continues its deep commitment and involvement in the Kimberley Process, KP, following its successful tenure as KP Chair in 2016.

Set up as a joint initiative between the Ministry of Economy and DMCC, the aim of the UAE Kimberley Process Taskforce is to support and reinforce multilateral cooperation regarding the import, export, and transit of rough diamonds in line with KP requirements. The Taskforce is also set to review, implement and collaborate on new initiatives that benefit the KP Certification Scheme, KPCS, as part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to enhance its world-class infrastructure and internationally recognised efforts to stem the flow of conflict diamonds globally.

Maryam Al Hashemi leads the KPCS in her capacity as 2017 Chair of the Committee of Participation and Chairmanship, CPC, of the Kimberley Process and the Director of the UAE KP Office.

The key focus areas being pursued by task force entities were to regularly exchange information regarding KP implementation and enforcement with the Customs Authorities and the UAE Ministry of Interior being the law enforcement agency at a federal level, to cooperate with international law enforcement officials and UN Panels of Experts on diamond-related investigations through the diplomatic channels of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MoFAIC, and to receive updates on topics like anti-money laundering and suspicious cases from the UAE Central Bank.

Commenting on the UAE KP Taskforce meeting, Maryam Al Hashemi, said, “Members of the UAE KP Taskforce come from government and federal authorities, and always ensure a lively, constructive debate on the issues and initiatives put forward for discussion. The focus of our purpose remains to safeguard trade from the flow of conflict diamonds.”