India is set to assume the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process (KP), a United Nations-backed global forum aimed at preventing the trade of conflict diamonds, from January 1, 2026. This will mark the third time India will lead the initiative, having previously chaired the KP in 2008 and 2019. The announcement was made by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting India’s growing influence in the global diamond trade and governance.

What Is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), established on January 1, 2003, is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society. Its primary goal is to prevent conflict diamonds—rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance wars—from entering the legitimate global market. At the same time, it supports and protects the legitimate diamond trade.

KP currently represents 86 countries, including major diamond producers and trading hubs such as China, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, and Russia. Collectively, KP members account for approximately 99.8% of global rough diamond production, making the forum highly influential in the industry.

India’s Leadership Priorities

During its tenure as KP chair, India will focus on three key areas:

1. Building consumer confidence in conflict-free diamonds: Ensuring that buyers globally can trust the ethical sourcing of diamonds.
2. Accelerating digital certification and traceability: Promoting the use of technology to track diamonds from mines to markets, making supply chains transparent and accountable.
3. Strengthening transparency and accountability across the supply chain: Enhancing regulatory oversight and compliance mechanisms to prevent illicit trade while supporting legitimate diamond businesses.

Goyal emphasized that India’s leadership will advance data-driven, rule-based compliance in the diamond sector and reinforce the country’s credibility among diamond-producing nations, trading centers, industry stakeholders, and civil society.

Transition of Leadership

India was formally selected as the chair for 2026 at the KP Plenary. The Commerce Ministry confirmed that India would take over as KP vice-chair on December 25, 2025, before assuming the full chairpersonship at the start of the new year. The current chair of KP is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which oversees the implementation of the certification scheme, the operations of working groups and committees, and general administration.

Importance of India’s Role

India is one of the largest global hubs for diamond manufacturing and trade, making its leadership critical in shaping industry standards, ensuring responsible sourcing, and navigating geopolitical challenges. Goyal highlighted that India’s chairmanship comes at a time of shifting geopolitics and an increasing global emphasis on sustainable and ethical supply chains.

Achievements of the Kimberley Process

Since its establishment, the Kimberley Process has made significant progress in preventing conflict diamonds from reaching legal markets. According to KP data, conflict diamonds currently account for less than 0.1% of global diamond production, reflecting the scheme’s effectiveness.

The initiative has also helped countries previously affected by diamond-fueled conflicts, including Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Côte d’Ivoire, by curbing the illicit diamond trade that once financed rebel movements.

Global Significance

KP operates in close partnership with the United Nations, aiming to ensure that the diamond trade does not contribute to conflicts that destabilize governments or regions. As the new chair, India will have the authority to oversee working groups, committees, and administrative functions, ensuring that the KP continues to maintain its standards and prevent illicit activities in the diamond supply chain.

Conclusion

India’s assumption of the Kimberley Process chairmanship in 2026 marks a significant milestone in its global engagement on ethical trade practices. With a focus on consumer confidence, digital traceability, and supply chain accountability, India aims to strengthen the credibility and transparency of the diamond trade, ensuring that diamonds reaching global markets are conflict-free.

By taking the helm of this UN-backed initiative for the third time, India reaffirms its role as a responsible leader in international trade, while promoting sustainable and ethical practices in one of the world’s most important luxury sectors.