EXPLORATORY HEARING ON SIERRA LEONE DIAMONDS

Press Release
SC/6900

EXPLORATORY HEARING ON SIERRA LEONE DIAMONDS

The Sanctions Committee on Sierra Leone, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, will hold an exploratory hearing, as requested in Security Council resolution 1306 (2000), on 31 July and 1 August in New York, in the Trusteeship Council Chamber (Secretariat Building, Second Floor) and will cover the following areas:

(a) Sierra Leone diamond industry (Monday, 31 July, 10 a.m.– 1 p.m.);

(b) Link to trade in arms and other matériel (Monday, 31 July, 3–6 p.m.);

(c) Ways and means for development of a sustainable and well-regulated diamond industry in Sierra Leone (Tuesday, 1 August, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.).

Invitees to the hearing will involve representatives of interested States, international and regional organizations, the diamond industry and other relevant experts in their personal capacity.

The Chairman, at the conclusion of the hearing, will hold a press conference. As indicated in resolution 1306 (2000), the Chairman of the Committee will submit a report with observations to the Security Council. This report will be issued as an official document of the Security Council.

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