India’s Leadership in Diamond Trade: UNGA Kimberley Process Resolution (03/04/2024)

UNGA Meeting on the Adoption of Kimberley Process Resolution

SEVENTY-EIGHTH SESSION,
65TH MEETING (AM)
GA/12590
3 April 2024

Adoption of Resolution on “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 conflicts”

Indian Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish

The Permanent Mission of India in New York

Mr. President,

Diamonds have played a particularly significant role in causing and prolonging conflict in several countries as a result of the misuse of wealth generated from this resource. In addition to financing devastating armed conflicts, the illicit trade in rough diamonds also impacts negatively on the legitimate international trade in diamonds. It remains my delegation’s belief that efforts to address the problem through the perspective of an overall development agenda must focus not only on the supply side, but also on all parts of the supply chain, including processing, trading and purchase by the consumer. Therefore, there is no denying the fact that over the years, the Kimberley Process has emerged as a model for multi stakeholder efforts and today, a substantial number of the diamond mining, trading and processing countries are part of the Kimberley Process.

India is the world’s largest cutting and polishing center for diamonds, accounting for over 90% of polished diamond manufacturing globally having registered over US$ 24 billion in exports in the year 2022. India is one of the founding members of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Since the Scheme’s inception, India has played a pivotal role in the progress and advancement of this unique tripartite structure recognized by the United Nations that brings together stakeholders in Government, industry and civil society in its quest to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the diamond trade. The fact that the Scheme has had a valuable developmental impact in improving the lives of people in diamond-mining communities and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals has been quite eloquently affirmed in the current resolution which my delegation welcomes.

We welcome the recognition in the resolution of a ‘voluntary system of self-regulation through the System of Warranties in accordance with the Scheme’ and the ongoing work of the Working Group of Diamond Experts on the digitalization of the KP certificates and ‘adoption of new Technical Guideline No. 17 on potentially diamondiferous exploration samples’.

For the past 20 years, the Kimberley Process fraternity, consisting of the participants and observers, has made a noteworthy contribution in stemming the flow of conflict diamonds and causing the significant development impact in improving the lives of many people dependent on the trade in diamonds. The continued success of the Kimberley Process remains an important goal and commitment for us. India will continue to actively participate in the work on various fronts and pursue the collective goals of the Kimberley Process to ensure that the Process continues to remain inclusive and capable of facing the emerging challenges.

India stands committed to support international efforts aimed at totally eliminating the conflict diamonds and promoting legitimate rough diamond trade and join other member states in recognizing that the Kimberley Process Certificate Scheme has helped protecting the legitimate trade of diamonds.

I thank you, Mr. President.