India Advances Global Diamond Industry Agenda in Luanda Ahead of Kimberley Process Plenary

India, as the Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for the year 2026, organised an important stakeholder consultative meeting on November 3, 2026, in Luanda, Angola. The primary objective of this meeting was to discuss and advance the priorities of the global diamond industry ahead of the Kimberley Process Plenary (full session) scheduled to be held in New Delhi from November 30 to December 4, 2026. According to a PIB report, the consultative meeting was led by Shri Yashvir Singh, Chair of the Kimberley Process and Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce.

This high-level meeting saw participation from the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of various Kimberley Process working groups and committees (KP working bodies). Additionally, representatives from the Republic of Ghana, as the Vice-Chair of the Kimberley Process, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the former Chair, were present. The meeting was attended not only by government representatives but also by representatives of partner and observer organisations such as the World Diamond Council, the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) at Resolve, and the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA).

During the meeting held in Luanda, several critical issues related to the global diamond industry were discussed in depth. Focus was primarily placed on subjects such as the responsible sourcing of rough diamonds, institutional governance, regulatory compliance, and enhancing consumer confidence. This consultative meeting was organised as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) held in Luanda between November 3-4, 2026.

India holds 'Observer' status in the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA). This status provides India with a strong institutional platform for direct dialogue and engagement with African diamond-producing countries. According to PIB, this association provides numerous opportunities for cooperation to secure the rough diamond supply chain, exchange technical knowledge, promote value addition, increase market access, and encourage ethical and sustainable practices.

During the meeting, the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of various KP working bodies shared updates on the progress of their respective action plans. They outlined issues that would be presented for consideration at the upcoming Plenary session. These issues include drafts of administrative decisions, initiatives related to the responsible sourcing of rough diamonds, improvements to the statistical reporting platform, as well as measures to strengthen institutional governance and participant compliance. The consultation identified areas requiring further coordination where early consensus could facilitate the Plenary's proceedings.

India has set the theme of 'Confidence, Compliance and Credibility' for its chairmanship of the Kimberley Process. Reaffirming this theme, the meeting featured an open discussion on the evolving priorities of the global diamond industry. Key points of discussion included the sustainability of diamond-producing countries and communities, sustainable funding and continuity for the Kimberley Process Secretariat, digitalisation of the certification and statistical processes, and further strengthening compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).

Furthermore, participants shared their views on revising the definition of 'conflict diamonds', responsible sourcing, artisanal and alluvial diamond production, consumer confidence, and the importance of effective reporting and peer-review mechanisms. Shri Yashvir Singh, Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce and KP Chair, stated, "India's chairmanship emphasises confidence, compliance and credibility. This consultative meeting in Luanda provided an opportunity for direct interaction with the leadership of KP working bodies, the KP Vice-Chair, and observers. The discussion focused on issues critical to the future of this process and the diamond industry. Our effort is to develop a shared understanding of these issues before the New Delhi Plenary and achieve practical results through constructive dialogue and a consensus-based decision-making process."

On November 4, 2026, Shri Yashvir Singh participated in the ADPA Council of Ministers and the main commemorative event. On this occasion, he delivered a presentation titled "Partnering for the Future: A Global Industry Perspective on Africa's Diamond Future". As the KP Chair (India) 2026, he emphasised the central position of African producing countries in the global diamond value chain. He explained how partnerships between producers, production centres, and consumer markets can support the long-term sustainability of the natural diamond sector. Referring to India's '3Cs' vision, he stated that consumer confidence in natural diamonds, strong compliance with KP's minimum requirements, and a credible and inclusive Kimberley Process are essential to ensure that diamond resources continue to contribute to the development of producing countries.

Representatives from African diamond-producing countries, industry professionals, and other stakeholders gathered for the event to celebrate ADPA's two-decade journey. During this, discussions were held on the ADPA Sustainable Diamond Standard and the ADPA Business Council. Simultaneously, deliberations took place on sustainability and audit processes, protecting the integrity of natural diamonds, industry advocacy, creating a distinct market identity, and increasing consumer confidence.

Alongside the 20th anniversary celebrations of ADPA, the 13th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers was held. In this meeting, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India and ADPA was approved. The primary objective of this MoU is to further strengthen cooperation between the Indian gem and jewellery industry and African diamond-producing countries.

Regarding the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), it was established on November 4, 2006, in Luanda, Angola. The main objective of this organisation is to increase cooperation among African diamond-producing nations. ADPA has 15 active member countries and 8 observers, including the Russian Federation and India as the two non-African observers. Its member countries collectively produce more than 60 per cent of global diamond production. Currently, the chairmanship of ADPA is held by the Republic of Sierra Leone, represented by the Honourable Julius Daniel Mattia, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources. On November 4, 2026, during the 13th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Luanda, Botswana was admitted as an observer member of ADPA.