21 Jun 2022

Botswana will, as Kimberly Process chair, rekindle the peer review mechanism and reinstate diamond certification control measures rendered dormant by the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two years.

In an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing Kimberly Process inter-sessional meeting in Kasane, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi stressed the importance of the peer review mechanism describing it as crucial.

He said it was one of the key cornerstones in monitoring compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

“Mindful of the challenges posed by the advent of COVID-19, Botswana will during its Kimberly Process chairmanship strive to ensure compliance to the Kimberly agreements,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism  that Botswana, which assumed the chairmanship in January, would deliver tangible progress on all Kimberly Process priority areas as well as reinforce implementation and effectiveness of the agreements.

“One of our key roles as chair is to oversee the implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and operations of the working groups, committees and administration that activate the Kimberly Process,” said Mr Moagi.

He said the intention was not only to ensure longevity of the Kimberley Process brand but also to be proactive.

Turning to Botswana, Minister Moagi said government, through the Minerals Policy, intended to build on the success of the diamond mining sub-sector to transform the economy from reliance on extraction and export to an industrialised one with more local processing and value addition.

“The diamond value chain is one that government will therefore continue to refine and accelerate the implementation of strategies to further enhance skills development and value addition,” he said.

The inter-sessional meeting is a build up to the plenary scheduled for November. Ends