The World Diamond Council has expressed its regret about the inconclusive end to the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting in Kinshasa and called on all parties to renew efforts to reach agreement over exports from Zimbabwe's Marange region.



In the meantime, the WDC urges all members of the trade to deal only in rough diamonds that are accompanied by KP certificates that comply with the consensus decisions of the Kimberley Process.



WDC President Eli Izhakoff said that the week in Kinshasa had seen a "genuine and concerted effort to resolve the differences that remained" and said that while progress was made, time had run out.



Izhakoff added that the wellbeing of the diamond industry as well as the economic future of people living in diamond producing areas – including Zimbabwe - were at stake. The WDC head cautioned that no one could benefit if the KP were rendered ineffective. "We have no alternative but to carry on," he declared.



Izhakoff further noted that despite their reservations about KP chair's declaration to allow exports of Marange diamonds, the US, EU, Canada and Australia had all expressed continuing support for KP and stated their intention to continue searching for consensus. So did the representatives of civil society, along with government and the industry. "So while we may be frustrated, we have to remain confident," he said.