Kimberley Process: Statement by the EU spokesperson on the 2025 Plenary

The EU has been at the forefront of the Kimberley Process since its launch in 2003. The Kimberley Process is a unique tripartite initiative including governments, industry and civil society, aiming to eradicate trade of conflict diamonds at global level.

We have engaged constructively together with other participants to ensure a meaningful expansion of the definition of ‘conflict diamonds’. The EU regrets that consensus was not found in the Kimberly Process Plenary on 17-21 November. Our position is clear: proceeds from rough diamonds must never be used directly or indirectly to fund conflicts of any kind. Diamonds associated to armed conflict or systematic or widespread violence by State actors must also be labelled ‘conflict diamonds’.

The EU also regrets that the Kimberley Process was prevented from discussing how Russia’s blood diamonds, which constitute around one third of diamond production in the world, are funding Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Kimberley Process has been a useful forum for technical discussions on the certification of rough diamonds. The EU will continue working to strengthen the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, including to ensure responsible diamond sourcing and effective traceability of diamond origins. 

The EU was represented by the European Commission in the Kimberley Process Plenary, which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.