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UN welcomes steps to curb illegal diamonds

    ABIDJAN

    The UN Security Council has welcomed the progress in preventing the illegal trade in diamonds from Sierra Leone and urged the international community to prohibit the import of all rough gems from that country.

    Council President Wanf Yingfan told reporters on Thursday that members welcomed reports indicating the diamond certification scheme was having a “positive effect” - proven by the increase in the quantity of diamonds under state control. The establishment of a certificate scheme in neighbouring Guinea was also well received by Council members. They also supported the continued efforts of the regional body ECOWAS and individual countries to develop a regional certification policy.

    Under Sierra Leone’s certification scheme, approved by the UN Security Council, diamonds exported must be accompanied by a certificate of origin signed by officials of the Ministry of Mineral Resources.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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