The Kimberly Process Certification System (KPCS) is the current solution that has been implemented in order to combat the conflict diamond problem.
Background:
In 1998, the nongovernmental organization, Global Witness launched a public awareness campaign named, ‘Combating Conflict Diamonds’, that culminated with a report linking DeBeers with funding UNITA with rough diamond purchases. This led the UN passing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173 banning the export of rough diamonds from Angola due to the relationship found between diamond sales and finance of arms and other illegal activities (18 Hilson). In 1999, Partnership Africa Canada joined the fight and reported similar links of rough diamonds funding rebel groups in Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia, as well (18 Hilson). At the time, it was estimated that conflict diamonds represented 20% of the world’s diamond production (18 Hilson). In May of 2000 at meeting in Kimberly, South Africa, diamond producing countries devised a process to stop the trade of conflict diamonds through a certification system to assure consumers that their diamonds were conflict free - the Kimberly Process Certification System (KPCS) was born. In January of 2001, the KPCS was introduced in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56, which was named “The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict: breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflict” (19 United Nations). Then in January of 2003, the final draft of the KPCS was implemented with the UN Security Council signing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1459. The UN General Assembly has reaffirmed their support of the KPCS every year thereafter.
Background:
In 1998, the nongovernmental organization, Global Witness launched a public awareness campaign named, ‘Combating Conflict Diamonds’, that culminated with a report linking DeBeers with funding UNITA with rough diamond purchases. This led the UN passing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173 banning the export of rough diamonds from Angola due to the relationship found between diamond sales and finance of arms and other illegal activities (18 Hilson). In 1999, Partnership Africa Canada joined the fight and reported similar links of rough diamonds funding rebel groups in Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia, as well (18 Hilson). At the time, it was estimated that conflict diamonds represented 20% of the world’s diamond production (18 Hilson). In May of 2000 at meeting in Kimberly, South Africa, diamond producing countries devised a process to stop the trade of conflict diamonds through a certification system to assure consumers that their diamonds were conflict free - the Kimberly Process Certification System (KPCS) was born. In January of 2001, the KPCS was introduced in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56, which was named “The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict: breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflict” (19 United Nations). Then in January of 2003, the final draft of the KPCS was implemented with the UN Security Council signing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1459. The UN General Assembly has reaffirmed their support of the KPCS every year thereafter.
How it works:
The KPCS is a voluntary program that requires the member countries to meet ‘minimum requirements’ relating to their rough diamond import and export policies and internal mining industry regulations and laws.
One requirement is that they must publicize their diamond production numbers on the internet so they can easily be monitored and measured in an effort reduce diamond smuggling and tax avoidance through transparency.
Another important requirement is the Kimberly Process certificate itself; a government-validated certificate required for all international rough diamonds trades. The certificate requirements state that it can’t easily be forged, has a unique number, and has a detailed description of the contents of the rough diamond package.
The rough diamonds must also be packaged in tamper-resistant containers and can only enter countries participating in the KPCS. The members of the KPCS monitor each other through a system of peer reviews that can help expose potential problems or outright abuses.
The reason the system works is because KP members can only trade rough diamonds with other KP members making it a club everyone else wants to join.
A few misconceptions that should be clarified are that the KPCS is not an industry laid initiative, it was created and implemented by rough diamond producing countries. It does not cover cut and polished stones, only rough diamonds are covered. There are also no requirements covering working conditions such as child labor or environmental concerns.
One requirement is that they must publicize their diamond production numbers on the internet so they can easily be monitored and measured in an effort reduce diamond smuggling and tax avoidance through transparency.
Another important requirement is the Kimberly Process certificate itself; a government-validated certificate required for all international rough diamonds trades. The certificate requirements state that it can’t easily be forged, has a unique number, and has a detailed description of the contents of the rough diamond package.
The rough diamonds must also be packaged in tamper-resistant containers and can only enter countries participating in the KPCS. The members of the KPCS monitor each other through a system of peer reviews that can help expose potential problems or outright abuses.
The reason the system works is because KP members can only trade rough diamonds with other KP members making it a club everyone else wants to join.
A few misconceptions that should be clarified are that the KPCS is not an industry laid initiative, it was created and implemented by rough diamond producing countries. It does not cover cut and polished stones, only rough diamonds are covered. There are also no requirements covering working conditions such as child labor or environmental concerns.
