For Prelims: Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), Conflict Diamonds, Observer Status, KP Plenary 2026 venue and dates, India's KP Chair theme, ADPA established, ADPA member countries, Current ADPA Chair
For Mains: Conflict diamonds, Responsible sourcing, Tripartite governance (government-industry-civil society), India-Africa economic partnership
Source:
PIB
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- India chairs the Kimberley Process (KP) in 2026.
- The KP Plenary is scheduled in New Delhi from 30 Nov to 4 Dec 2026.
- India's KP Chair theme is 'Confidence, Compliance and Credibility'.
- The KP Certification Scheme was established under UN General Assembly Resolution 55/56 (2000).
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and ADPA was approved on 4 November 2026.
Why in the news?
India, as Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2026, is preparing for the KP Plenary in New Delhi (Nov 30 - Dec 4, 2026). A stakeholder consultation in Luanda, Angola, advanced priorities on responsible sourcing, institutional governance and compliance. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India, and the African Diamond Producers' Association (ADPA) was approved during the 13th Extraordinary Meeting of the ADPA Council of Ministers on 4 November 2026 in Luanda.
Summary
- India holds the Chairship of the Kimberley Process (KP) in 2026, with the KP Plenary scheduled in New Delhi from 30 November to 4 December 2026.
- India has Observer status in the African Diamond Producers' Association (ADPA), which has 15 member countries producing over 60% of global diamonds.
- A MoU between the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India, and ADPA was approved, focusing on capacity building, skills development and trade linkages.
Highlights
Kimberley Process Chairship 2026
India chairs the Kimberley Process in 2026 and will host the KP Plenary in New Delhi from 30 Nov to 4 Dec 2026.
India-ADPA Cooperation
A MoU between GJEPC and ADPA was approved to boost capacity building, skills and trade in the diamond value chain.
Conflict Diamond Prevention
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) aims to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade.
Background
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 55/56 in 2000 to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. It operates through a tripartite framework of governments, industry and civil society, with 60 Participants representing 86 countries. India has chaired the KP three times: 2008, 2019 and 2026.
Key Analysis and Impact
India's chairmanship theme of 'Confidence, Compliance and Credibility' signals a focus on strengthening the KP's institutional governance and compliance mechanisms. The MoU between GJEPC and ADPA is a strategic move to secure rough diamond supply chains from Africa, which produces over 60% of global diamonds. India's Observer status in ADPA provides a platform for deeper engagement with African producers.
Way Forward
The KP Plenary in New Delhi will consider draft Administrative Decisions, reforms to the conflict diamond definition, digitalisation of certification, and sustainable funding for the KP Secretariat. The New Delhi Diamond Dialogue on 29 November 2026 will precede the Plenary, aiming to build consensus on these issues.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)
- An international initiative established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate rough diamond trade. It requires participants to certify that their rough diamond exports are conflict-free.
- Conflict Diamonds
- Diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict, insurgencies or rebel movements against legitimate governments. Also called 'blood diamonds'.
- Observer Status
- A status granted to non-member countries or organisations allowing them to participate in meetings and discussions of an international body without voting rights.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: KP Plenary 2026 in New Delhi, 30 Nov - 4 Dec 2026
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India's nodal ministry for KP)
- Data: India's KP Chair theme: Confidence, Compliance and Credibility
Don't make this mistake!
They may confuse the Kimberley Process (KP) with the World Diamond Council or ADPA. The KP is the intergovernmental certification scheme; ADPA is an African producers' association. India has Observer status in ADPA, not membership. Also, the KP Plenary is in New Delhi, not in Angola.
Write these in mains answers
- Conflict diamonds, Responsible sourcing, Tripartite governance (government-industry-civil society), India-Africa economic partnership
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Kimberley Process is a global system that stops 'blood diamonds' (diamonds used to fund wars) from being sold. India is the chair of this system in 2026 and will host a big meeting in New Delhi in December. India also signed a deal with African diamond-producing countries to work together on diamond cutting and trading.
- India chairs the Kimberley Process (KP) in 2026.
- The KP Plenary is scheduled in New Delhi from 30 Nov to 4 Dec 2026.
- India's KP Chair theme is 'Confidence, Compliance and Credibility'.
- The KP Certification Scheme was established under UN General Assembly Resolution 55/56 (2000).
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and ADPA was approved on 4 November 2026.
- International Relations: India and Africa relations
- Economy: International trade and commodity agreements
Related concepts: Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), Conflict Diamonds, Observer Status
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry is the nodal ministry for India's engagement with the Kimberley Process?
Explanation: The news is from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and the KP Chair is the Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce. The Ministry of External Affairs handles diplomacy, the Ministry of Mines deals with mining, and the Ministry of Finance handles taxation, not this trade certification scheme.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the Kimberley Process (KP):
- 1.The KP Certification Scheme was established under a United Nations General Assembly Resolution.
- 2.India has chaired the Kimberley Process for the first time in 2026.
- 3.The KP operates through a tripartite framework of governments, the diamond industry and civil society.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: KPCS was established under UN General Assembly Resolution 55/56 (2000). Statement 2 is incorrect: India has chaired the KP earlier in 2008 and 2019, so 2026 is its third Chairship. Statement 3 is correct: the KP operates through a tripartite framework of governments, industry and civil society.
- Q3Medium
How many countries are represented by the 60 Participants of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme?
Explanation: The KP has 60 Participants representing 86 countries, with the European Union and its Member States participating as a single entity. 60 is the number of Participants, not countries. 15 is the number of ADPA effective members.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the MoU signed between GJEPC and ADPA?
Explanation: The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation through capacity building, skills development in diamond sorting, valuation and manufacturing, exchange of technical expertise, and promotion of trade and investment linkages. Increasing exports is a possible outcome, not the primary objective.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme?
The KPCS is an international initiative established under UN General Assembly Resolution 55/56 (2000) to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate rough diamond trade.
2. When and where is the 2026 Kimberley Process Plenary being held?
The 2026 KP Plenary is being held in New Delhi, India, from 30 November to 4 December 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.
3. What is India's role in the Kimberley Process in 2026?
India holds the annual Chairship of the Kimberley Process for 2026, with the theme 'Confidence, Compliance and Credibility'.
4. What is the African Diamond Producers' Association (ADPA)?
ADPA is an association of African diamond-producing countries, established on 4 November 2006 in Luanda, Angola. It has 15 effective member countries that collectively produce over 60% of global diamonds.
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- Original5 November 2026 · Read story
