The Kimberley Process: Notes for IAS Exam

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the result of negotiations held between governments, civil society organisations, and the international diamond industry to stop the trade in conflict diamonds and ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence carried out by rebels against legitimate governments.

Aspirants would find this topic very helpful in the IAS Exam.

Why is the Kimberley Process required?

Conflict diamonds are diamonds mined in active war zones and sold in order to finance an insurgency, a warlord’s activities or an invading army’s war efforts. The conflict diamonds had funded much of the violence that to this day, has brought many countries of Africa to the brink of ruin. As a result a process to prevent the sale and purchase of conflict diamonds was needed. Thus, the Kimberly process was established.

When was the Kimberly Process established?

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established in 2003 to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream rough diamond market by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56.

How Does Kimberley Process Work?

Various measures need to be implemented by concerned countries to enable the shipment of conflict free diamonds are given below.

1. Participating nations must enact legislation 
2. Export and Import controls must be in place
3. Exchange statistical data to bring in transparency
4. Participants can trade with each other only if they fulfill the minimum criteria.
5. All international shipments of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a KP certificate.

How to Apply for a Kimberley Process Certificate?

It is a multi-step process. It must have the following valid documents with Singapore Customs which is given below.

1. One needs to have a valid KP license
2. Must have a valid Inter-bank GIRO (IBG) account
3. Submit the Application for Kimberley Process Certificate.
4. Applications would be processed within 1 working day.

Who is the Current Chair of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme?

India was the chair of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for the year 2019. For the year 2020, the Russian Federation is the chair of the Kimberley process and the vice chair is Botswana.

It is very important for candidates to familiarise themselves with the exam pattern by visiting the UPSC Syllabus page, as they can gain valuable knowledge about the general pattern of the exam. For more preparation materials and related articles refer to the links given in the table below:

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