- The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the process established in 2000 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream rough diamond market.
- It was ruled by UNGA Resolution 55/56 following recommendations in the Fowler Report.
- The process was set up to ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments recognized by United Nations
- The KPCS Plenary 2018, was held in Brussels, Belgium in November 2018 and EU handed over the chair of KPCS to India from January, 2019.
- The next session is slated to be held in India as Chair. Botswana and the Russian Federation will serve as Vice-Chair during the period of 2019-2020.
India and KPCS
- India is the founding member of KPCS and is actively involved in KP activities to ensure that almost 99% of the diamond trade in the world is conflict free.
- India is committed to maintain KP as an efficient and effective process in order to ensure the conflict diamond free status.
- India is at the forefront in addressing the issue of differentiation between Natural Diamonds and Lab Grown Diamonds and ensure responsible business in this area.
- India chaired the Ad hoc Committee on Review and Reform (AHCRR).
Importance of KPCS
- 2018 was the fifteenth anniversary of KPCS. Since its launch in 2003, the Kimberley Process has contributed towards peace, security and prosperity.
- It has proven to be an effective multilateral tool for conflict prevention in stemming the flow of conflict diamonds.
The Kimberley Process has made valuable developmental impact in improving the lives of most people dependent on the trade in diamonds.
