The Kimberley Process (KP) will focus its 2026 initiatives on strengthening the natural diamond industry under India’s leadership, but civil society members are warning against straying from the KP’s original mandate.

Government, industry and civil society representatives gathered for the KP Intersessional Meeting in Mumbai last week to discuss the future of the natural diamond sector and KP’s role in protecting diamonds’ unique value proposition. The meeting was held from May 11 to 14, 2026.

India became KP chairman at the beginning of the year, succeeding the United Arab Emirates.

“India will continue to champion a KP that is robust, transparent and responsive to both industry and consumer expectations,” a statement from the Indian government said.

Among the pertinent issues discussed at the four-day event were governance, technical processes and artisanal production alongside strengthening transparency, operational mechanisms and trust across the natural diamond value chain.

Suchindra Misra, KP chairman 2026, said progress achieved during the intersessional meeting reflected the shared commitment of participants and observers.

He emphasised that trust remains the foundation of the natural diamond trade and highlighted the importance of reinforcing the KP as a pillar of responsible sourcing, transparency and confidence across the diamond value chain.

The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC), however, expressed concern about “repositioning” the KP as a “branding tool” for natural diamonds, which could potentially derail its true purpose.

“The KP was not established as a trade promotion framework,” said Farai Maguwu, vice coordinator of the KPCSC, in a separate statement. “Its core mandate remains the prevention of diamonds funding insecurity and conflict, and its legitimacy depends on its ability to address these challenges credibly and transparently.”

The industry should instead focus on improving the plight of diamond mining communities that are also suffering from the impact of declining natural diamond prices.

KP’s success hinges upon tangible progress in areas such as preventing diamonds from financing conflict, promoting responsible sourcing, increasing trade data transparency and advancing diamond governance, added Maguwu.