Mumbai: India has taken centre stage in the global
natural diamond dialogue as the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting 2026
commenced in Mumbai under the country’s Chairship. The four-day meeting, being
held from May 11 to May 14, has brought together Kimberley Process
Participants, Observers, government officials, civil society representatives
and industry stakeholders to deliberate on the future of responsible diamond
trade.
The meeting is focused on key areas linked to the Kimberley
Process Certification Scheme, including monitoring, compliance, statistics,
artisanal and alluvial diamond production, and measures aimed at strengthening
trust across the natural diamond value chain.
India’s Chairship theme for 2026 is centred on the 3Cs,
credibility, compliance and consumer confidence. The theme reflects the growing
need to reinforce transparency and accountability at a time when the global
diamond industry is navigating changing consumer expectations, ethical sourcing
concerns and evolving market dynamics.
Addressing the gathering, KP Chair 2026, Shri Suchindra
Misra, said that the Kimberley Process has played an important role in
supporting peace, protecting livelihoods and strengthening legitimate diamond
trade across producing nations. He underlined the need to further strengthen
trust in the system, deepen cooperation among participants and ensure that the
Kimberley Process remains relevant in a changing global environment.
The meeting is also expected to provide a platform for
participants and observers to exchange views on emerging challenges and
collaborative approaches that can help enhance consumer confidence in ethically
sourced natural diamonds.
Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said India today stands
at the heart of the global natural diamond industry, not only as the world’s
largest cutting and polishing centre, but also as one of the fastest-growing
diamond jewellery markets globally.
“As an industry, we remain committed to strengthening
consumer confidence, promoting transparency, and working together with global
stakeholders to ensure that natural diamonds continue to remain a symbol of
trust, aspiration, and shared prosperity across the world,” he said.
He added that GJEPC, as co-organiser of the Intersessional
under India’s Kimberley Process Chairship, is pleased to support the global
platform, which aims to strengthen confidence, enhance compliance and reinforce
the credibility of the global diamond ecosystem.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established
pursuant to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 in 2000. It is an
international initiative designed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering
the legitimate diamond trade. At present, the Kimberley Process has 60
Participants representing 86 countries, with the European Union and its Member
States participating as a single bloc.
India assumed the Chairship of the Kimberley Process on
January 1, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to responsible sourcing,
transparency and sustainability in the global diamond sector. As a leading
centre for diamond cutting and polishing, India continues to play a strategic
role in advancing the objectives of the Kimberley Process and strengthening
confidence in the natural diamond industry.
