Mumbai, 12 May (H.S.): The Kimberley Process (KP) International Meeting kick‑off under India’s presidency began in Mumbai, the country’s financial capital, on Tuesday. The four‑day session will run until 14 May and brings together representatives of KP participants, observers, and industry stakeholders from across the globe to discuss key issues related to the global trade in natural diamonds.

India formally inaugurated the Kimberley Process (KP) International Meeting in Mumbai under its chairmanship.

KP Chair 2026, Suchendra Mishra, told the gathering that the Kimberley Process has played a crucial role in promoting peace, protecting livelihoods and strengthening legitimate diamond trade among producer countries. In his address, he stressed the need to further strengthen confidence in the system, enhance cooperation among participants, and ensure that the Kimberley Process remains relevant and effective amid evolving global conditions. He also highlighted that natural diamonds are sustainable products and that the Kimberley Process has emerged as one of the most advanced certification systems at the global level.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the international session will be followed in the coming days by discussions and meetings of various working groups and committees. These deliberations will focus on the implementation, monitoring and compliance mechanisms of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), as well as on alluvial and artisanal diamond production, statistics, and measures aimed at reinforcing trust along the natural diamond value chain.

The proceedings of the international meeting will continue through 14 May.

The meeting has brought together global representatives from participating countries, industry bodies, and civil‑society groups to deliberate on the future of responsible and sustainable diamond trade.

The Ministry said participants and observers are expected to exchange views on emerging challenges and collaborative approaches to boosting consumer confidence in legally sourced natural diamonds.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), established under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 (2000), is an international initiative designed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade. Currently, 60 participants representing 86 countries are part of the Kimberley Process, including the European Union and its member states, who participate as a single group.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar