Editor’s Note
This report details how Russia used procedural rules to block discussion of its war in Ukraine at a key diamond industry forum, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing geopolitical conflicts within international bodies.
At the Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary meeting, held in Dubai from 12-15 November 2024, Russia again abused the rules around consensus to block attempts from Ukraine, the UK and others to discuss the implications of Russia’s war of aggression against a fellow KP member, Ukraine, for the global rough diamond sector.
The KP has achieved much since its inception and for progress to continue it must embrace a renewed commitment to delivering on the mandate given by the United Nations General Assembly to expand the definition of “conflict diamonds”.
While welcoming the full readmission of the Central African Republic (CAR) into the KP, the UK urges the Government of CAR to fully comply with its obligations under the KP and ensure that its citizens benefit from the revenues achieved through trade in rough diamonds.
The UK will continue to work constructively to achieve meaningful reform and maintain the relevance of the KP in today’s world.