What is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a joint governments, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones has fuelled decades of devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’. As of September 2007, the KP has 48 members, representing 74 countries, with the European Community and its Member States counting as an individual participant.

Read more

Watch a video about conflict diamonds
Read the official KPCS document

On the Agenda

  • Speech of Dr. Rahul Khullar, KP Chair and Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India
    The 5th Intersessional meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)was held on 17-19 June, 2008 at New Delhi. In his inagural address the KP Chair applauded the efforts of all the stakeholders including participant countries, the diamond industry, and civil society. He also sought to address lingering un-resolved issues. Challenges remain and our task is not yet done but we shall over come....... Read full text of the speech.
  • United Nations General Assembly adopts resolution supporting the work of the KP by consensus
    Read the resolution. You can also find a summary of the UNGA debate on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict here.