Source: PIB
The Plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was hosted by India, the present Kimberley Process (KP) Chair, from 18th to 22nd November 2019 in New Delhi.
India and Kimberley process
India is one of the founder members of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and is the Chair of the Kimberley Process for the year 2019. India had earlier chaired KPCS in the year 2008.
About the Kimberley process
- The Kimberley Process is a joint initiative involving Government, International Diamond Industry and Civil Society to stem the flow of Conflict Diamonds.
- “Conflict Diamonds” means rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
- It is also described in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions
- In 1998, certain rebel movements in Africa (Sierra Leone, Angola, D.R. of Congo, Liberia) were selling, among other things, illegally obtained diamonds – known as conflict diamonds – to fund their wars against legitimate governments.
- With a view to find ways to stop the trade in conflict diamonds, the world’s diamond industry, United Nations, Governments and leading NGOs came together and in November 2002 at Interlaken, where the final draft of the Kimberley Process measures were ratified by more than fifty nations.
- The KPCS came into effect from 1st January 2003 and evolved into an effective mechanism for stopping the trade in conflict diamonds.
- At present, KPCS has 55 members representing 82 countries including EU with 28 members.
- The Kimberley Process is chaired, on a rotating basis, by participating countries.
- KP Vice-Chair is generally elected by KP Plenary each year who becomes the Chair in the next year.
- India is the current Chair of KPCS with the Russian Federation as Vice-Chair for the year 2019.
