India, as Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for 2026, participated in the 20th anniversary celebrations of the African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA@20) in Luanda, Angola, on 3–4 November 2026.

On the sidelines of the celebrations, India, represented by Yashvir Singh, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, and KP Chair, convened a KP stakeholder consultation on 3 November 2026 with the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of KP Working Groups and Committees (KP Working Bodies), along with the KP Vice-Chair, Republic of Ghana, and the former KP Chair, United Arab Emirates. Representatives of Observers and partner organisations, including the World Diamond Council, KP Civil Society Coalition, Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) at RESOLVE and ADPA, also participated.

The Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the KP Working Bodies shared updates on progress against their respective work plans and outlined matters proposed for consideration at the Plenary. These included draft Administrative Decisions, initiatives relating to responsible rough diamond sourcing, improvements to the statistical reporting platform, and measures to strengthen institutional governance and participant compliance. The consultation also provided an opportunity to identify matters requiring further coordination and areas where early convergence could support the work of the Plenary.

Reaffirming India’s KP Chairship theme of Confidence, Compliance and Credibility, the consultation provided an opportunity for an open exchange on the status and evolving priorities of the global diamond industry. Discussions covered the sustainability of diamond-producing countries and communities, sustainable funding and continuity of the KP Secretariat, digitalisation of certification and statistical processes, and strengthening compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

Yashvir Singh said, “India’s Chairship places emphasis on Confidence, Compliance and Credibility. The consultation in Luanda provided an opportunity to engage directly with the leadership of the KP Working Bodies, the KP Vice-Chair and Observers on issues that are important to the future of the Process and the diamond industry. Our endeavour is to build a shared understanding of the issues before the New Delhi Plenary and to advance practical outcomes through constructive dialogue and consensus-based decision-making.”

The African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA), established on 4 November 2006 in Luanda, Angola, seeks to enhance cooperation among African diamond-producing nations. ADPA comprises of 15 effective member countries and 8 Observers, including two non-African Observers, namely the Russian Federation and India.

India has Observer status in ADPA, providing an institutional platform for engagement with African diamond-producing countries. This offers opportunities for cooperation in securing rough diamond supply chains, technical knowledge exchange, value addition, market access and the promotion of ethical and sustainable practices.

The 13th Extraordinary Meeting of the ADPA Council of Ministers, held alongside the 20th anniversary celebrations, approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India, and ADPA. The MoU seeks to strengthen cooperation between the Indian gem and jewellery industry and African diamond-producing countries, including through capacity building and skills development in diamond sorting, valuation and manufacturing, exchange of technical expertise, and the promotion of trade and investment linkages across the diamond value chain. The discussions in Luanda will advance preparations for the KP Plenary in New Delhi, scheduled from 30 November to 4 December 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. The KP Plenary will be preceded by the New Delhi Diamond Dialogue (KP Forum) on 29 November 2026, with associated programme engagements extending through 5 December 2026. India will host the KP Plenary for the third time, following its previous Chairships in 2008 and 2019.

Courtesy: AOJ DESK NEWS