Editor’s Note
This article reports on the recent Kimberley Process Plenary meeting, where member states focused on efforts to revise the definition of ‘conflict diamonds’ to better align with current realities in the global diamond industry.
The Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary meeting has concluded with a significant push to update the definition of ‘conflict diamonds’. Delegates from member countries engaged in intensive discussions aimed at modernizing the certification scheme to address contemporary challenges in the diamond trade.
A key focus of the discussions was expanding the definition beyond ‘rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments’. Proposals included incorporating concerns related to human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and corruption linked to diamond mining and trading.
The move has received mixed reactions. While civil society organizations and some industry players advocating for greater transparency and ethical sourcing welcomed the initiative, other stakeholders expressed concerns about the practical implementation and potential market disruptions.
The plenary agreed to establish a working group to finalize the proposed definitional changes and develop a roadmap for implementation, with a report expected at the next intersessional meeting.
