India on Tuesday inaugurated the Kimberley Process (KP) Intersessional Meeting 2026 in Mumbai under its Chairship, bringing together global representatives from participating countries, industry bodies and civil society groups to discuss the future of responsible and sustainable diamond trade.
The four-day meeting, being held from May 11 to May 14, is focused on strengthening monitoring, compliance and consumer confidence in the global natural diamond value chain amid evolving international challenges.
Addressing the inaugural session, KP Chair 2026 Suchindra Misra said the Kimberley Process has played a significant role in supporting peace, protecting livelihoods and promoting legitimate diamond trade across producing nations. He stressed the need to enhance trust in the certification system and strengthen cooperation among member countries to ensure the mechanism remains effective in a changing global environment.
Misra also highlighted that natural diamonds represent a sustainable product and described the Kimberley Process as one of the world’s most progressive international certification systems.
The Intersessional Meeting will feature deliberations by various working groups and committees on key aspects of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), including monitoring and compliance measures, artisanal and alluvial diamond production, statistical systems and steps to reinforce confidence in ethically sourced natural diamonds.
Participants are also expected to exchange views on emerging challenges facing the diamond industry and explore collaborative approaches to strengthen transparency and responsible sourcing practices.
Senior officials from the Department of Commerce, representatives of Kimberley Process participant nations, members of the World Diamond Council, Civil Society Coalition representatives and other stakeholders are attending the meeting.
India’s Chairship theme for 2026 centres on the “3Cs” – credibility, compliance and consumer confidence – with a focus on promoting responsibly sourced natural diamonds through international cooperation and dialogue.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established following the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 adopted in 2000 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate global diamond trade. The initiative currently includes 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. As one of the world’s leading centres for diamond cutting and polishing, India has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing transparency, sustainability and responsible sourcing in the global diamond industry.
