(THE GIST OF PIB) Kimberly Process

(DECEMBER-2025)

Recently, the Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary has selected India to assume the chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process from 1 January 2026.

It is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry and civil society.
Aim: It is aimed at preventing the trade in “conflict diamonds”.
Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel groups or their allies to finance conflicts that undermine legitimate governments, (As defined in United Nations Security Council resolutions).
Governance: Each year, the Vice-Chair becomes the Chair the next year. Chair and Vice-Chair are appointed by Plenary consensus.
Participants: It currently has 60 participants representing 86 countries, with the European Union counting as a single participant.
This will be the third time India has been entrusted with the chair of the Kimberley Process.

It is the mechanism the KP uses to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds.
It was launched in 2003, which is enforced individually by KP Participant countries to ensure that rough diamonds in the legitimate supply chain are KP-compliant.
Since 2003, India has been actively participating in the KPCS process.
Department of Commerce is the nodal Department
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is designated as the KPCS Importing and Exporting Authority in India.
GJEPC is responsible for issuing KP Certificates and is also the custodian of KP Certificates received in the country.