New Delhi, Dec 25:
India will assume the chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process (KP) from January 1, 2026, following its selection by the KP Plenary, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on Wednesday. India will first take over as Vice Chair from December 25, 2025, ahead of assuming full leadership of the global initiative next year.
The Kimberley Process is a tripartite international mechanism involving governments, the global diamond industry and civil society, aimed at preventing the trade in so-called conflict diamonds—rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance armed conflicts, as defined under United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Welcoming the development, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said India’s selection reflects the global community’s confidence in the country’s commitment to transparency, ethical trade and responsible governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which came into force on January 1, 2003, serves as a key international framework to regulate the trade in rough diamonds. With 60 participants, including the European Union and its member states counted as a single participant, the KP today accounts for over 99 per cent of global rough diamond trade, making it the most comprehensive mechanism of its kind.
India, one of the world’s largest centres for diamond cutting, polishing and trading, will assume leadership of the Kimberley Process at a time of evolving global supply chains and increased emphasis on sustainability and responsible sourcing. During its tenure, India plans to focus on strengthening governance and compliance mechanisms, advancing digital certification and traceability systems, enhancing transparency through data-driven monitoring, and reinforcing global confidence in conflict-free diamonds.
As Vice Chair in 2025 and Chair in 2026, India will work closely with participating governments, industry representatives and civil society organisations to reinforce the credibility of the Kimberley Process and ensure its continued relevance as a robust multilateral framework for ethical diamond trade.
