Kimberley Process Chair Calls for Digital Traceability and Stronger Compliance to Boost Global Diamond Certification Credibility
The Kimberley Process (KP) must strengthen its digital communication systems and adopt more robust traceability standards to reinforce trust in the global diamond certification system, according to KP 2026 Chair Suchindra Misra.
Misra, appointed by the Government of India to lead the initiative this year, emphasized the need to modernise the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to address emerging risks, including financial integrity concerns and evolving global expectations around supply chain transparency.
Speaking in an interview published in the World Diamond Council (WDC) newsletter, Misra said the future relevance of the KP depends on its ability to reinforce three core pillars: confidence, compliance, and credibility.
Strengthening Trust in the Diamond Supply Chain
As the world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing hub, India brings a unique perspective that bridges producing countries and consumer markets, Misra noted.
He stressed that the aim of the current KP chairmanship is to promote forward-looking reforms while maintaining the multilateral, consensus-based structure of the initiative.
“Consumer expectations have risen, traceability has moved from aspiration to requirement, and the reputational expectations placed on natural diamonds have never been greater,” he said. “The KP must evolve to meet these realities, not at the expense of its core mandate, but in service of it.”
He added that compliance under the Kimberley Process should not be viewed as a procedural requirement alone, but as a formal assurance from member governments that diamonds entering the market are free from conflict origins.
Digital Traceability and Market Transparency
A key focus of India’s chairmanship is the integration of digital technologies to improve traceability and enhance the visibility of KP certification across the diamond value chain.
Misra said improved digital systems would allow the Kimberley Process certificate to carry greater relevance not only at the export level, but also at retail points and in consumer-facing markets.
This, he argued, is essential to strengthening public confidence in natural diamonds.
He further highlighted that closing the gap between certification and consumer trust requires continuous communication, improved transparency, and better engagement across governments, industry players, and civil society organisations.
Evolving Global Expectations
According to Misra, the Kimberley Process remains a landmark achievement in international governance, having successfully established a rules-based system to prevent conflict diamonds from entering legitimate trade channels.
He noted that its tripartite structure, which brings together governments, industry, and civil society, continues to serve as a global model for multilateral cooperation.
However, he cautioned that the operating environment has significantly changed since the framework was first established.
“The KP is relevant because it represents a genuine and hard-won achievement of international governance,” he said. “But we must also recognise that the world in which it operates has changed.”
Future Direction of the Kimberley Process
Looking ahead, the KP chair underscored the importance of ensuring that certification systems remain aligned with modern market realities, particularly as transparency, ethical sourcing, and traceability become central expectations in the global diamond industry.
He concluded that the Kimberley Process must continue to evolve in order to maintain its credibility and effectiveness, ensuring that assurances provided at every stage of the supply chain are clearly communicated through to the final consumer.
