Botswana, Russia jostle for top diamond post

Botswana is the largest producer of rough diamonds by value, while Russia is the largest producer by volume. Botswana last chaired the KPCS in 2006, after Russia’s own term ended in 2005.

Under KPCS rules, the annual battle to lead the organisation is focussed on the vice chair, as the vice automatically becomes chair the following year. The vice is chosen by other member states at the organisation’s annual plenary meeting, which this year is set for November 12 to 16 in Brussels, Belgium.