               United Nations                                                                     S/RES/1459 (2003)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General

                                                                                28 January 2003




               Resolution 1459 (2003)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 4694th meeting, on
               28 January 2003
                    The Security Council,
                     Noting with deep concern the linkage between the illicit trade in rough
               diamonds from certain regions of the world and the fuelling of armed conflicts that
               affect international peace and security,
                     Recalling all relevant resolutions of the Security Council to control the illicit
               trade in rough diamonds, including 1173 (1998) of 12 June 1998, 1306 (2000) of
               5 July 2000, 1343 (2001) of 7 March 2001, 1385 (2001) of 19 December 2001, and
               1408 (2002) of 6 May 2002,
                    Highlighting in particular resolution 1295 (2000) of 18 April 2000 which
               welcomed the proposal that led to the adoption of the Interlaken Declaration of
               5 November 2002 on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough
               Diamonds,
                    Highlighting further the importance of conflict prevention through efforts to
               hinder the fuelling of conflicts by illicit trade in rough diamonds, which is the very
               nature of the Kimberley Process,
                     Noting in particular the importance of the major diamond producing, and
               trading, and processing countries participating in the Kimberley Process system of
               self-regulation,
                    Expressing its appreciation to the Governments of South Africa, Namibia,
               Belgium, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, Angola, Botswana, Canada
               and Switzerland for hosting meetings of the Kimberley Process,
                     Noting with appreciation the important contribution made by industry and civil
               society to the development of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme,
                     Further noting the decision made at the 5 November 2002 Interlaken meeting
               to launch the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme beginning on 1 January 2003,
                    Welcoming the progress achieved at the Interlaken meeting in developing the
               Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, including the adoption on 5 November
               2002 of the Interlaken Declaration on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
               for Rough Diamonds,



03-22758 (E)
*0322758*

S/RES/1459 (2003)


                     1.    Strongly supports the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, as well as
               the ongoing process to refine and implement the regime, adopted at the Interlaken
               Conference as a valuable contribution against trafficking in conflict diamonds and
               looks forward to its implementation and strongly encourages the participants to
               further resolve outstanding issues;
                    2.    Further welcomes the voluntary system of industry self-regulation, as
               described in the Interlaken Declaration; and
                     3.    Stresses that the widest possible participation in the Kimberley Process
               Certification Scheme is essential and should be encouraged and facilitated and urges
               all Member States to actively participate in the Scheme.




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