The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) is encouraging united support for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s continued leadership of the Kimberley Process (KP) in 2025, building on the accomplishments of its 2024 chairmanship.
The UAE was appointed as the KP custodial chair in 2025, while Thailand was elected as the vice chair for 2025 and chair in 2026.
ADPA commended the UAE’s chairmanship for fostering constructive dialogue among participants and observers.
“The achievements of the 2024 Plenary reflect the KP’s resilience, especially amid attempts to derail the 21 years of effective work that has led to the eradication of conflict diamonds globally,” it said.
“The KP’s ability to regulate the global rough diamond trade has been effective over these years and as such, it must be protected to ensure that it continues to ‘leave no one behind’.”
It said one of the milestones achieved at the recently concluded plenary of the KP in Dubai is the lifting of diamond export sanctions on the Central Africa Republic (CAR).
“ADPA would like to congratulate the Central Africa Republic on the lifting of the eleven-year-old diamond export ban and its readmission as a full member of the KPCS,” the association said.
“ADPA is inspired by CAR’s resilience during the ban over the years. ADPA would also like to acknowledge the contributions of all who made this outcome possible, including the KP chair, South Africa as the Working Group of Monitoring (WGM) chair and Review Mission Team leader, and all participants of the Review Mission to the CAR…”
ADPA said the results of the CAR Review Mission bolster the idea that KP can and must foster the economic recovery of countries that have turned the tide on issues of conflict, like the CAR.
It said it will continue to support the KP in upholding its mandate and ensuring that those who depend on natural rough diamonds for their livelihoods and future generations benefit equitably from these resources.
ADPA also seeks not only to provide support for the KP but also to vigorously defend its legitimacy on behalf of its member states, the African diamond-producing nations.
“KP has always been built on collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual accountability; principles embodied in the 60 control nodes spread across member nations,” it said.
“These nodes, which reflect the collective commitment of participating countries, have been integral in maintaining a balanced regulatory framework that respects the sovereignty of each member state over their natural resources and free will to implement the KP.
“The proposal for a single node means diamond certification and verification will be done through a single centralised point, which will create unnecessary bottlenecks and additional costs. ADPA fully supports the decentralised and representative approach, which ensures that decisions reflect the voices and needs of all stakeholders, safeguarding the rights and stability of diamond-producing countries, particularly in Africa.”
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
