Editor’s Note
India has been selected to chair the Kimberley Process, the international certification scheme for rough diamonds, starting in 2026. This appointment underscores the country’s significant role in the global diamond industry.
Recently, the Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary has selected India to assume the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process from 1 January 2026.
It is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society.
It is aimed at preventing the trade in “conflict diamonds”.
(As defined in United Nations Security Council resolutions).
Each year, the Vice-Chair becomes the Chair the next year. Chair and Vice-Chair are appointed by Plenary consensus.
It currently has 60 participants representing 86 countries, with the European Union counting as a single participant.
This will be the third time India has been entrusted with the chair of the Kimberley Process.
It is the mechanism the KP uses to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. It was launched in 2003, which is enforced individually by KP Participant countries to ensure that rough diamonds in the legitimate supply chain are KP-compliant.
Since 2003, India has been actively participating in the KPCS process. The Department of Commerce is the nodal Department. The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is designated as the KPCS Importing and Exporting Authority in India.
Source: PIB
