D-day looms for Kimberley Process

Formed in 2000 as a concept by several Southern African diamond producing states, including Botswana, the Kimberley Process is an initiative designed to stem the flow of rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The initiative has grown over the years to include joint governments, industry and civil society, with 49 members, representing 75 countries, and the European Community and its Member States counting as an individual participant.

The Kimberley Process (KP) operates by requiring member states to adhere to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which ensures the detailed identity of each and every diamond traded within the organisation whose members represent 99.8 percent of global rough diamond production.