The Kimberley Process (KP) is an international initiative that unites governments, civil society organizations, and industry members in an effort to reduce the flow of conflict diamonds, and promote socio-economic development in areas affected by diamond mining.
The KP was established in 2000, subsequently adopted by UN bodies, and began operations in 2003. Its main mechanism is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), issued by the local Kimberley authority, which requires official certification for international rough diamond shipments to be accompanied by a KP certificate, guaranteeing that they are conflict-free.
The KP brings together 85 countries worldwide, each with its own body responsible for the KPCS. The chairmanship of the Kimberley Process rotates among participating countries. The chair oversees the implementation of the scheme, as well as the activities and work of working groups, committees, and administrative bodies.
1
Years of Activity
1
Member Countries
1.0%
of Conflict Diamonds blocked for trade
1%
Conflict-Free Diamonds
The diamond industry’s Self-Regulation
The System of Warranties (SoW) is a self-regulation system created by the World Diamond Council (WDC) to ensure that all diamonds traded are Kimberley Process compliant throughout the natural diamond supply chain. The SoW protects the integrity of the supply chain, and promotes responsible business practices and universal principles of human rights and responsible trade.
The SoW Guidelines provide a set of rules for diamantaires beyond the minimum requirements and recommendations of KPCS. Guidelines aim to support self-regulation and continuous improvement of industry practices in the buying or selling of rough and polished diamonds, with the goal of creating a chain of accountability throughout the entire diamond pipeline, from mine to retail. Compliance with the SoW Guidelines is done through completing a self-assessment online, and including a warranty declarations on invoices.
1998
1998
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopts a resolution which prohibits the direct or indirect export of unofficial Angolan diamonds (those not accompanied by a Certificate of Origin issued by the Angolan Government). Due to the lack of cooperation by the Angolan government, sanctions are imposed.
1999
2000
2000
A forum is held in Kimberley, South Africa, to discuss the issues surrounding conflict diamonds. The inaugural meeting of the World Diamond Council is held in Tel Aviv, where it is agreed that industry bodies, governments and civil societies will develop a plan to curb the trade in conflict diamonds.
2001
2001
In a Plenary meeting of 38 KP participants in Namibia, the term ‘Kimberley Process’ is officially used for the first time. Israeli banks, active in financing the Israeli diamond trade, call for compliance with UN resolutions.
KP participants meet in a Plenary meeting in Moscow, and define minimum acceptable standards for an international system of certification of rough diamonds, consistent with the mandate set out in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution.
2002
2002
The WDC formally adopts the System of Warranties, which requires all buyers and sellers of diamonds to include a statement on all invoices certifying that the diamonds have been sourced from legitimate sources. 37 nations sign the Kimberley Process Certification System, which stipulates that rough diamonds must be accompanied by a certificate for import and export.
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2007
Turkey and Liberia become members of the Kimberley Process, and the Republic of Congo is re-admitted into the Kimberley Process as participant. In a Plenary meeting, the KP issues the Brussels Declaration, which includes internal controls that participants must implement in order to effectively monitor rough trade.
2010
2011
2011
Under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), participating countries must meet ‘minimum requirements’; set in place national legislation and institutions; export, import and internal controls; and commit to transparency and the exchange of statistical data.
Additionally, Zimbabwe is re-instated into the scheme, the KP warns of diamond smuggling from the Ivory Coast, and Global Witness announces that it is leaving the Kimberley Process, claiming the scheme has not been effective in curbing the trade in conflict diamonds.
2012
2012
Cameroon, Kazakhstan, Panama, and Cambodia joined the Kimberley Process. At the annual Plenary meeting, participants discuss a proposed reform of the scheme’s mandate, aimed at expanding the scope of the KP from reducing the flow of conflict diamonds to protecting human rights in a broader context.
2013
2014
2014
In its Annual General Meeting, the WDC calls for a more comprehensive examination of the challenges and risks associated with the rough diamond trade. Leading bodies in the Israeli and global diamond industries do not attend the meeting, and call on the WDC to avoid arbitrary decisions and lack of transparency. However, they reaffirm their commitment to the Kimberley Process. At the Plenary meeting, a resolution is adopted to establish working groups and to adopt recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
2016
2016
The KP holds three rough diamond valuation forums. For the first time, the KP Chair publishes a mid-term report, where he highlights new initiatives such as strengthening ties with diamond-producing countries in Africa, suggestions for the establishment of training seminars, and an examination of blockchain technology to improve security. The Plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process also discusses the issue of synthetic diamonds and the need to delve deeper into the implications of this issue.
2017
2018
2020
2020
The SoW Guidelines are updated again to specifically reference the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the UN Convention Against Corruption, and national AML guidelines that comply with the FATF’s Recommendations on Money Laundering for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones.
The Kimberley Process – the Israeli Angle
During the 1990s, the global diamond industry began to turn its attention to conflict diamonds, following UN resolutions and strengthened awareness to the issue. Israel was one of the first countries in the world to promote the Kimberley Process, and the first country to issue a KP Certificate in 2003. Israel chaired the Kimberley Process in 2010 and continues to play a central role in supporting and advancing the KP today.
August 1999: Global Witness Visits Israel
Representatives of the international NGO Global Witness visit Israel with the goal of raising awareness about the funding of civil wars in Africa, particularly in Angola, through the diamond trade.
April 2000: Hosting the International Rough Diamond Conference
Israel hosts the 2nd International Rough Diamond Conference, which includes panel discussions on conflict diamonds. The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) and the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA) issue a joint statement expressing deep concern about the role of diamonds in funding conflicts in Africa. The IDE takes measures to prevent trade in conflict diamonds mined in Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and revokes IDE membership from diamantaires who knowingly trade in conflict diamonds.
September 2000: The WDC is established in Israel
Israel hosts the conference that leads to the creation of the World Diamond Council (WDC), established to officially represent the diamond industry in the tripartite coalition of the Kimberley Process. Its activities are carried out by various committees, such as Steering, Technical, Finance, etc.
January 2003: Israel makes history
Following two years of discussions by KP members on the ways to prevent trade in conflict diamonds, Israel is the first member to issue a KP Certificate.
May 2004: Mission accomplished
Israel successfully passes a review mission for its implementation of and compliance with the Kimberley Process. The committee commends Israel for its standards, and calls for other countries to follow its example.
2010: Israel Chairs the KP
Israel is appointed Chair of the Kimberley Process. Boaz Hirsch, then the Deputy Director General for Foreign Trade at Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, is the first Israeli to head the KP. Hirsch sets three main objectives: enforcement in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO), establishment of a committee to work on trade issues, and the establishment of a working group that will run, manage and disseminate knowledge of the Kimberley Process.
