Editor’s Note
India has assumed the vice presidency of the Kimberley Process, positioning it to take the presidency of the conflict-diamond regulatory body in 2026 for the third time.
New Delhi, Dec 25 (Prensa Latina) India today assumed the vice presidency of the Kimberley Process (KP), a tripartite initiative to prevent the use of diamonds in financing conflicts or overthrowing legitimate governments.
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this is the preliminary step for the South Asian nation to assume the presidency of the aforementioned organization on January 1, 2026, which will be for the third time.
The Kimberley Process Plenary selected India to lead the Kimberley Process, which involves governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society, to ensure compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions on the trade of diamonds for warlike purposes.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), established under a UN resolution, came into effect on January 1, 2003, and has since become an effective mechanism to curb the trade of conflict diamonds, the Indian entity stated.
The Kimberley Process currently has 60 participants, considering the European Union and its member states as a single participant, which together represent almost 100 percent of the global trade in rough diamonds, making it the most comprehensive international mechanism governing this sector.
As a leading global center for diamond manufacturing and trade, India’s leadership comes at a time of geopolitical changes and a growing emphasis on sustainable and responsible sourcing, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry noted.
The entity pointed out that, during its term, India will focus on strengthening governance and compliance, promoting digital certification and traceability, improving transparency through data-based monitoring, and building consumer confidence in conflict-free diamonds.
As vice president in 2025 and president in 2026, India will work closely with members to reinforce trust in the Kimberley Process, ensure compliance with standards, enhance its credibility, and work towards a more inclusive and effective multilateral framework, authorities of the South Asian nation indicated.