2019 – Posted in: Daily News

Kimberely Process Certification Scheme

For: Preliminary & Mains

Topics covered: About Kimberley Process Certification Scheme

News Flash

The plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is being hosted by India, the present Kimberley Process (KP) Chair, from 18 to 22 November in New Delhi. The event is hosted by Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The meeting is held annually to make sure that the trade of diamonds is conflict-free. The Kimberley Process is a commitment to remove conflict diamonds from the global supply chain.
India is one of the founder members of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

Kimberley Process

The Kimberley Process is a joint initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry and civil society to stem the flow of ‘conflict diamonds’.
Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
The KPCS has been agreed by the United Nations and the World Diamond Council.

Why KPCS is important for India?

Currently, India is exporting 24 billion USD. In the coming years, it is expected that the target will reach 1 trillion USD. There are more than 1 million people employed in the diamond industry in India.

Origin of KPCS

In 1998, certain rebel movements in Africa were selling illegally obtained diamonds – known as conflict diamonds – to fund their wars against legitimate governments.
With a view to finding ways to stop the trade in conflict diamonds, the world’s diamond industry, United Nations, governments, and leading NGOs came together in November 2002 at Interlaken, where the final draft of the Kimberley Process was ratified by more than 50 nations.
The KPCS came into effect from 1 January, 2003, and evolved into an effective mechanism for stopping the trade in conflict diamonds.

Features of KPCS

As per KPCS, each shipment of rough diamonds being exported and imported by crossing an international border be transported in a tamper-proof container and accompanied by a validated Kimberley Process Certificate.
The shipment can only be exported to a co-participant country in the KPCS. No uncertified shipments of rough diamonds are permitted to enter a participant country.

Source: Indian Express/ Kimberley Process