United in eradicating
Conflict Diamonds

Uniting governments, civil society and the wider industry, the Kimberley Process (KP) defines conflict diamonds as: ‘rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments’ - around the world.

Un Mandate
59 Participants
Industry
Civil Society

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)

The KP unites 85 countries around the world (including all members of the European Union - which stands as one nation)

The KP unites 59 member countries around the world (including the European Union – which stands as one nation)

In 2003 a number of working groups and committees were formed to ensure and to maintain the KPCS programs.

The Civil Society Coalition is an observer of the Kimberley process and is made up of 13 members

How the Kimberley Process
Works

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 with the goal of preventing the flow of conflict diamonds. The core of this regime is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) under which States implement safeguards on shipments of rough diamonds and certify them as “conflict free".

Under the terms of the KPCS participants must:

Satisfy ‘minimum requirements’ and establish national legislation, institutions and import/export controls

Commit to transparent practices and to the exchange of critical statistical data

Trade only with fellow members who also satisfy the fundamentals of the agreement

Certify shipments as conflict-free and provide the supporting certification

2019 Statistics

$13,574,417,964.86

the total value of diamonds traded
through the KPCS

Find out more
KPCS Core Document
Setting out the requirements for controlling rough diamond production and trade, the KPCS was first implemented in 2003.
Read more

Stronger Together

Open Arms

The Kimberley Process welcomes all countries who are willing and able to implement its minimal requirements.

Active Involvement

Participating members, civil society observers and the wider industry meet twice yearly – at intersessional and plenary meetings – and conduct monthly teleconferences.

United for Change

Adherence and implementation is monitored through ‘review visits’, regular exchange of data, statistical analysis and the annual reports.

See more by topic

The Kimberley Process
FAQS

What are conflict diamonds?

Conflict diamonds, also known as ‘blood' diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.

What is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds. It aims to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, while helping to protect legitimate trade in rough diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) outlines the rules that govern the trade in rough diamonds. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet. The KP is not, strictly speaking, an international organisation: it has no permanent offices or permanent staff. It relies on the contributions – under the principle of ‘burden-sharing' – of participants, supported by industry and civil society observers. Neither can the KP be considered as an international agreement from a legal perspective, as it is implemented through the national legislations of its participants.

Who is involved?

The Kimberley Process (KP) participants are states and regional economic integration organizations that are eligible to trade in rough diamonds. There are 59 participants representing 85 countries, with the European Community counting as a single participant. The participants include all major rough diamond producing, exporting and importing countries. The diamond industry, through the World Diamond Council, and civil society groups are also integral parts of the KP. These organisations have been involved since the start and continue to contribute to its effective implementation and monitoring.

History

The Kimberley Process started when Southern African diamond-producing states met in Kimberley, South Africa, in May 2000, to discuss ways to stop the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ and ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.

  1. 2000

    The Kimberley Process began in May 2000, in Kimberley South Africa. The item was included in the agenda of the 55th session of the UN General Assembly. Diamond-producing states concerned by the damaging social effects of the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ set out to agree a framework for reducing these influences.

  2. 2002

    In November 2002, after 2 years of negotiations the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was launched and signed by 37 countries in Interlaken, Switzerland.

  3. 2003

    The KPCS entered into force in 2003, when participating countries started to implement its rules.

  4. 2010

    Under the terms of the KPCS, participating states must meet 'minimum requirements' and must put in place national legislation and institutions; export, import and internal controls; and also commit to transparency and the exchange of statistical data. Participants can only legally trade with other participants who have also met the minimum requirements of the scheme, and international shipments of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a KP certificate guaranteeing that they are conflict-free.

  5. 2012

    Cameroon, Kazakhstan, Panama and Cambodia joined the Kimberley Process.

  6. 2013

    Administrative Support Mechanism was established to assist the Kimberley Process Chair and Working Groups in implementation of the KPCS.

  7. 2016

    The Kimberley Process hosted 3 KP Chair Special Forums on Rough Diamond Valuation to address the issue of undervaluation of rough diamonds.

United in
Making the Difference

With so many of today’s challenges impacting humanity at the global scale, The Kimberley Process maintains a stringent focus.

Uniting countries, industry and civil societies to better lives and communities the world over.

Today, The KP is responsible for stemming 99.8% of the tide in conflict diamonds.

The KPCS is helping to shape and support a transparent global diamond trade.

Explore how we make the difference:

see the kp in action