REVISITING THE KIMBERLY PROCESS

Cut, clarity, colour, and carat–the four C’s used to define a diamond’s value. But the diamond trade continues to be shaped by a fifth C: conflict.

Once praised for eliminating blood diamonds, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is now under fire. Two decades later, the system meant to guarantee “conflict-free” diamonds faces growing criticism for being outdated, narrow in scope, and exploitative. It fails to address state-led violence, forced labour, environmental destruction, and systemic abuse. All while giving unethical diamonds a stamp of approval and letting corporations mask abuse as ethics.

In present-day Dubai, global stakeholders have reconvened. Governments, mining states, luxury brands, and human rights advocates must now debate: should the Kimberley Process be expanded, overhauled, or scrapped? Delegates will examine the limitations of the current definition of “conflict,” expose corporate misuse of labels, and reassess supply-chain transparency. They will also weigh the responsibility of diamond-dependent economies and the power imbalance between Global South producers and Global North markets.

As calls for accountability intensify, the fate of the KPCS and the credibility of the diamond industry stands at a breaking point.