IMPACT’s participation as part of the technical team supporting the KP Regional Approach for the Mano River Union ended in 2017.

The Regional Approach was established by the KP to develop a shared strategy to improve KP compliance in Mano River Union countries. The strategy aims to harmonizing laws and policies, improve internal controls in keeping with the KP, and reduce opportunities for diamond smuggling. The Regional Approach provides a forum for sensitization of the region’s stakeholders—in particular, government actors—and opportunities for capacity building. As a member of the technical team, we share best practices on diamond governance, including recommendations on how to tackle smuggling.

We also provide capacity building to stakeholders including policymakers, private sector, and civil society actors on the implementation of KP internal controls and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. Regular meetings and workshops in the region allow for stakeholders to identify challenges and to develop and monitor implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

Funding

Funding for our work to promote diamond governance in Mano River Union countries was provided by the European Union from 2014 to 2017. With earlier funding from the European Union, we participated in the original scoping mission to the Mano River Union region in 2013 that identified shared challenges, opportunities, and interest among the four countries to develop a Regional Approach to KP compliance.