Conflict diamonds have played a major role in funding some of the most devastating civil wars in Africa. The Kimberley Process is a coalition of governments, civil society and the diamond industry which is helping to eliminate the trade in so-called conflict diamonds*. It regulates the international trade in rough diamonds, promoting the notion that natural resources belong to mining communities, not to militias.
Since the Kimberley Process was put in place, the identifiable trade in conflict diamonds has DECLINED FROM 15% IN 2003 TO LESS THAN 1%.
THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS: FACTS AND FIGURES
- UN mandated Certification Scheme launched in 2003;
- 56 participants with the EU as a single participant;
- 83 COUNTRIES representing more than 99% of the global rough diamond production and trade;
- The Kimberley Process is based on three pillars: GOVERNMENTS, INDUSTRY AND CIVIL SOCIETY
HOW THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS CERTIFICATION SCHEME WORKS
An international scheme that regulates the international trade in rough diamonds, imposing so-called ‘minimum requirements’ on participating states to enable shipments to be certified as ‘conflict-free’.
On 20 December 2002, the EU adopted Council Regulation (EC) No. 2368/2002 to set up a system of certification and import and export controls for rough diamonds, for the purpose of implementing the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
EU PROJECTS: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In support of its work on the Kimberley Process, the EU is also funding several projects under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace. The aim is to reinforce governance in the diamond sector and the development of alternative livelihoods.
- Strengthening compliance with the Kimberley Process through institutional capacity-building.
- Ensuring that diamonds enter the legal supply chain and that benefits flow to diamond-mining communities.
- Supporting key stakeholders, practitioners in all sectors and civil society organisations.
- 2016-2018: EUR 995915Côte d’Ivoire
Developing alternative livelihoods for local diamond-mining communities by supporting local agricultural development.
- 2016-2018: EUR 1000000Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (Mano River Union)
Supporting cooperation among Mano River Union countries on Kimberley Process implementation issues with a regional dimension and improving information sharing on regional diamond trade.
- 2019-2022: EUR 3 500 000Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (Mano River Union)
Supporting cooperation among Mano River Union countries on Kimberley Process implementation issues with a regional dimension and improving information sharing on regional diamond trade.
- 2018-2021: EUR 1500000Central African Republic
Promoting legal economic opportunities through the formalisation of land and resource rights and strengthening community resilience, social cohesion, and response to violent conflict.
- 2019-2022: EUR 2500000Support to Civil Society
Empowering key stakeholders, including from civil society, globally to address their common concern of responsible sourcing through policy advice, capacity development and editorial and research support.
