The Kimberley Process (KP) intersessional meeting was held in Mumbai from May 11 to 14 around themes uniting the industry, such as compliance with international standards and consumer confidence. However, certain more sensitive issues aimed at broadening the definition of “conflict diamonds” have yet to gain the desired traction.
The meeting was chaired by India’s KP Chair, Suchindra Misra. It primarily reinforced existing frameworks and refocused attention on the “3 Cs”: Credibility, Compliance (with international standards), and Consumer Confidence. Strengthening control and transparency mechanisms, as well as highlighting the challenges surrounding artisanal mining and the legitimacy of natural diamonds in a deeply disrupted market, were also among the topics discussed. The obligation to implement the revised System of Warranties (SoW), now applying to polished diamonds and jewellery in addition to rough diamonds, was reiterated. The deadline for this integration has been set for the end of September 2026.
In Mumbai, standards were reinforced
Although the “3 Cs” served as the guiding thread of the session, expanding the scope of the KP’s work remains challenging. As Feriel Zerouki, former president of the World Diamond Council, rightly pointed out, the definition of “conflict diamonds” needs to be revised. Under the current rules, the term applies only to rebel actions against governments, and not to violence or abuses that may be committed by government forces or by private companies acting on their behalf. Since all decisions within the KP require unanimous approval, it remains extremely difficult to adopt new binding standards, as member states may invoke non-interference in domestic affairs to oppose them. It should also be remembered that the KP operates solely through voluntary contributions from member states, which are not prepared to accept sanctions they have not expressly agreed to. During the May session, no progress was made either on broadening the definition of “conflict diamonds” or on strengthening control and sanction mechanisms. The “3 Cs” therefore appeared above all as a means of defending the legitimacy and value of natural diamonds in their competition with synthetic stones.
Natural diamonds under pressure to be exemplary
For jewellery Houses, compliance with KP standards is regarded as a minimum requirement that suppliers must meet, supplemented by more ambitious initiatives such as mine-to-market traceability and independent audits. The next plenary session, scheduled to take place in New Delhi, will once again have to address these crucial issues, which cannot be set aside. According to Feriel Zerouki, the diamond industry is undoubtedly one of the most highly regulated sectors in the world. Because diamonds are associated with wealth and luxury rather than necessity, the industry faces particularly high expectations. Regularly challenged by competitors — including synthetic diamond manufacturers and civil society organisations in producing countries — it will find it increasingly difficult to avoid its responsibilities.
Read the World Diamond Council’s report on the KP intersessional meeting HERE.
Source : World Diamond Council