Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 12 (ANI): India has commenced the Kimberley Process (KP) Intersessional Meeting 2026 in Mumbai under its chairship, bringing together global participants to deliberate on monitoring, compliance and sustainable trade in natural diamonds.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the meeting is being held from May 11 to May 14 and has brought together representatives from Kimberley Process participants, observers and industry stakeholders from across the world.The discussions will focus on implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), monitoring and compliance mechanisms, artisanal and alluvial diamond production, statistics and measures aimed at strengthening trust in the natural diamond value chain.Suchindra Misra, Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2026, said the process has played an important role in 'supporting peace, protecting livelihoods and strengthening legitimate diamond trade across producing nations.'He emphasised the need to 'further strengthen trust in the system, enhance cooperation among participants and ensure that the Kimberley Process remains relevant and effective in a changing global environment.'Misra also said that natural diamonds represent a sustainable product and that the Kimberley Process remains 'one of the most progressive certification systems globally.'Senior officials of the Department of Commerce, representatives from the World Diamond Council, members of the Civil Society Coalition and other stakeholders are participating in the meeting.India's chairship theme for 2026 is based on the '3Cs' -- credibility, compliance and consumer confidence -- with a focus on strengthening responsibly sourced natural diamonds through international collaboration and dialogue.The meeting is also expected to provide an opportunity for participants and observers to exchange views on emerging challenges and collaborative approaches for enhancing consumer confidence in ethically sourced natural diamonds.The Kimberley Process was established under the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds into legitimate trade.According to the release, the Kimberley Process currently has 60 participants representing 86 countries, with the European Union and its member states participating as a single bloc.India assumed the chairship of the Kimberley Process on January 1, 2026. The ministry said that as one of the world's leading centres for diamond cutting and polishing, India continues to play an important role in advancing responsible sourcing, transparency and sustainability in the global diamond sector. (ANI)