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KP Secretariat

The Kimberley Process Secretariat provides essential administrative support for KP Participants and Observers, managed by an Executive Secretary and supported by staff as deemed necessary by the KPCS and in line with its functions assigned by the KP Plenary.

Operating in strict accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Secretariat is committed to neutrality, refraining from endorsing any government or political stance.

The Secretariat’s primary functions include:

  • Knowledge Management and Institutional Memory
  • Communications
  • Administrative and Logistical Support for the KP Chair, Working Groups, and Ad Hoc Committees
  • Data Website Hosting and Management
  • Technical and Professional Assistance

These functions are purely administrative and do not encompass policy development or decision-making.

Executive Secretary

Leading the Secretariat, the Executive Secretary (ES) is appointed by consensus of the Plenary from eligible candidates who are nationals of KP Participant countries. As Chief of Staff, the ES oversees the daily operations, management and administration of the Secretariat and reports directly to the Plenary, with guidance from the KP Chair. The ES may also coordinate with the Chairs of the KP Working Groups to enhance the effectiveness and further the KP’s goals as needed.

The first permanent Executive Secretary, Mr Bojun Tang, was appointed for a four-year term. The Kimberley Process Secretariat is headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana.

Bojun Tang

Executive Secretary, Kimberley Process

Mr. Bojun TANG is the inaugural Executive Secretary of the Kimberley Process Secretariat.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. TANG served as a senior official of the Government of the People's Republic of China, where he was extensively engaged in multilateral and regional trade governance. His areas of responsibility included negotiations on trade facilitation at the WTO, WTO compliance of China's Technical Barriers to Trade and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, negotiations of China's free trade agreements, and regional trade and cross-border facilitation initiatives under the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Asian Development Bank. He is also the lead drafter of Chinese Standard on Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas.

Mr. TANG first joined the Kimberley Process in 2012 as a member of the Chinese delegation and became Head of Delegation for the Government of China in 2014. Throughout his engagement with the Kimberley Process, he has served in several leadership capacities, including as Assistant to the KP Chair in 2014, Chairperson of the Committee on Participation and Chairmanship, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Rules and Procedures, and Chairperson of review visits.

Mr. TANG holds multiple bachelor's and master's degrees in languages, law, public international law, and international commercial law. He is also qualified for an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (East Asia Branch). Mr. TANG is married and has one child.

Under Secretary

Working closely with the KP Chair, the Executive Secretary may appoint an Under-Secretary to support the Secretariat’s functions, contingent on no objections from KP Participants. The Under-Secretary, a national of a KP Participant country, contributes valuable expertise to the role, supporting the KP Secretariat’s mission with professional insights.

Kai Schaefer

Undersecretary, Kimberley Process Secretariat

Kai Schaefer currently serves as the first Undersecretary of the Kimberley Process Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana, where he supports the implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. He is a seasoned policy professional with over a decade of experience in international governance, natural resource stewardship, and diplomacy.

Prior to this role, Mr. Schaefer spent nearly ten years with the Government of Canada as a Senior Advisor, working on the Kimberley Process, clean technology, and sustainable resource governance. Mr. Schafer also previously worked at UN HQ in NYC and for the US Department of State in Frankfurt, Germany. Mr. Schaefer holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from McGill University and is also a certified rough diamond grader and valuator.

Secretariat careers

Nominations are open for the Under-Secretary position at the KP Secretariat.