India Advances Global Diamond Industry Agenda Ahead of Kimberley Process Plenary

Key Highlights:

• India, as Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for 2026, convened a stakeholder consultation in Luanda, Angola, on November 3, 2026.
• The consultation focused on responsible rough diamond sourcing, institutional governance, compliance, and consumer confidence.
• This engagement precedes the KP Plenary to be hosted by India in New Delhi from November 30 to December 4, 2026.
• India's KP Chairship theme emphasizes "Confidence, Compliance and Credibility."
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was approved between India's Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA).

Detailed Insights:

• The Luanda consultation involved KP Working Bodies, Ghana (KP Vice-Chair), UAE (former KP Chair), and observer organizations like the World Diamond Council.
• Discussions covered sustainability of diamond-producing countries, funding for the KP Secretariat, digitalization of certification, and strengthening compliance.
• Participants also exchanged views on reforming the conflict diamond definition, responsible sourcing, and artisanal and alluvial diamond production.
• India holds Observer status in ADPA, facilitating cooperation in securing rough diamond supply chains and technical knowledge exchange.
• The ADPA celebrated its 20th anniversary, with India participating and emphasizing partnerships for the natural diamond sector's long-term sustainability.
• The MoU between GJEPC and ADPA aims to strengthen cooperation in capacity building, skills development, technical expertise exchange, and trade promotion.
• India will host the KP Plenary for the third time, having previously chaired in 2008 and 2019.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Kimberley Process (KP): An international certification scheme established to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate rough diamond trade.
• Conflict Diamonds: Rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments.
• African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA): An intergovernmental organization promoting cooperation among African diamond-producing nations.
• Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC): An organization promoting India's gem and jewellery industry, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.