Resolution on Kimberley Process Reform

Resolution on Kimberley Process Reform

Resolution on Kimberley Process Reform


This resolution recognizes that the Kimberley Process, put in place to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream rough diamond market, has failed.  Established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 following recommendations in the Fowler Report, the process was set up “to ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.”  However, it is obvious to most international observers that terrorist organizations like FARC, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda derive funding from the sale of illegally mined commodities.  This resolution will outline a more efficient system (a public-private partnership) to monitor mining activities in African nations and propose ways to provide local governments with the tools necessary to stop the trade in illegal diamonds.

Model Resolution

Whereas, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) was established to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government and federalism; to conduct policy making programs that unite members of the public and private sectors in a dynamic partnership; as well as to support research, policy development, and dissemination activities that promote the principles of Jeffersonian democracy, which are necessary for a free society; and

Whereas, ALEC has long maintained that strengthening a nation’s rule of law creates the optimal environment for economic growth and free markets and will assist in the establishment of economic prosperity and stability in that nation; and

Whereas, the United States has important commercial and security interests in Africa, due to its strategic location including but not limited to its proximity to a number of key international maritime straits; and

Whereas, diamonds, gold, precious minerals and metals are significant natural resources and the control over these resources often leads to violence and corruption in Africa; and

Whereas, the Kimberley Process (KP) was created by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds into the mainstream market place; and

Whereas, evidence suggests that the KP has failed to prevent the flow of these diamonds into the mainstream; and

Whereas, reform efforts have attained only moderate success, denying Africans the opportunity to reap the benefits of their natural resources; and

Whereas, innovative public-private partnerships might establish ground resources to transform capital into functional infrastructure in the relevant developing nations; and

Whereas, dynamic public-private partnerships may increase economic opportunities for the next generation of Africans, helping African countries to become self-reliant and less dependent on the KP; and

Whereas, public-private partnerships between U.S. enterprises and many of these African nations would be subject to a high degree of U.S. government oversight to ensure that none of the funds entrusted to it would be misappropriated and that both the letter and the spirit of the Kimberley Process would be upheld; and

Therefore be it resolved that the commonwealth/state of [INSERT STATE] supports the establishment of a joint economic partnership in concert with the appropriate governments, NGOs and other entities charged with economic growth and development.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, USAID and to Desk Officers for relevant African nations.


Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors on January 28, 2013.

Reapproved by ALEC Board of Directors on November 16, 2017.