Antwerp U-turns on diamond single node

In a statement yesterday, the Antwerp World Diamond Council (AWDC) which is acting as the G7’s industry representative and expert, said a workable traceability system was important for all parties. The Council said it was critical that the trade of non-sanctioned diamonds is not disrupted.

“At this moment in time, conversations on G7 and EU level, with AWDC acting as industry representative and expert, about the further implementation of the G7 measures are continuing,” the statement reads. “During these conversations, as AWDC, we are pro-actively advocating for the implementation of one or more additional rough verification points outside the G7. “We believe this is a necessary step in the further development towards a control system that meets the interest of all stakeholders involved, in particular those of African producing countries.”