The Kimberley Process (KP) intersessional meeting in Dubai marked what the World Diamond Council (WDC) called a “significant breakthrough” toward expanding the definition of conflict diamonds — a long-overdue step in modernizing the KP and restoring some of its lost relevance.
The current definition, unchanged since the KP’s inception in 2000, narrowly focuses on rough diamonds used to finance rebel movements against legitimate governments. But today’s conflicts — and the ethical expectations of consumers — are far more complex. For over a decade, efforts to broaden that definition have stalled, mainly due to the KP’s consensus-based structure that requires unanimous agreement among all member countries.
What makes this moment different? For the first time, the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), representing 15 member countries and five observers, put forward language that helped move the debate forward and brought new momentum to the table — a shift from the usual pressure coming primarily from Western nations and the WDC.
There’s no question an update is needed. But at this stage, any redefinition would be more symbolic than transformative. Much of the industry has already moved beyond the KP as a core compliance mechanism, relying instead on traceability systems, third-party certifications like the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), and other ESG-focused initiatives to demonstrate responsible sourcing.
The KP, in many ways, is now working to catch up — as seen in last year’s decision allowing origin disclosure on certificates for mixed parcels, giving the document some renewed utility as a proof of provenance.
While updating the definition is important for optics and principle, it’s arguably not the most critical development coming out of Dubai. The WDC also outlined a new initiative aimed at empowering diamond-producing communities by offering support mechanisms — should they seek them.
As WDC president Feriel Zerouki put it: “The Kimberley Process is not just about stemming the flow of conflict diamonds. It is also about supporting the people behind it. More than compliance, this is about empowerment.”
That evolution — from compliance framework to community enabler — may not grab the same headlines, but it has the potential for far more lasting impact.
Image: The World Diamond Council (WDC) delegation to the Kimberley Process intersessional meeting in Dubai, May 11 to 16. (Credit: WDC)
Source : The Diamond Press