The Kimberley Process

Petra Diamonds will only ever operate in countries which are members of the Kimberley Process. The Kimberley Process is an unprecedented collaboration between Governments, NGOs and the diamond industry, who joined together to stem the flow of conflict diamonds - rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. It was set up to assure consumers that by purchasing diamonds they were not financing war and human rights abuses. The trade in these illicit stones has fuelled decades of devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’ and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. As of November 2008, the KP has 49 members, representing 75 countries, with the European Community and its Member States counting as an individual participant.

Under the terms of the KPCS, participating states must meet ‘minimum requirements’ and must put in place national legislation and institutions; export, import and internal controls; and also commit to transparency and the exchange of statistical data. Participants can only legally trade with other participants who have also met the minimum requirements of the scheme, and international shipments of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate guaranteeing that they are conflict-free.

Diamond experts estimate that conflict diamonds now represent a fraction of 1% of the international trade in diamonds, compared to estimates of up to 15% in the 1990s. That has been the Kimberley Process’ most remarkable contribution to a peaceful world, which should be measured not in terms of carats, but by the effects on people’s lives.

For further information, please review:www.kimberleyprocess.com