India elected as Vice Chair of Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme for 2018

India has been elected as the vice chair for 2018 and chair for 2019 of Kimberly Process (KP) Certificate Scheme. It was announced by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The decision regarding the same was taken at the recently held KP Plenary meeting in Dubai. India is a founder member of Kimberley Scheme of United Nations. The chair of this international body is rotated among its members. India was elected as the chair of this body in the year 2008 also.

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme which was established in 2003 is a joint initiative of the governments, industry and civil societies to prevent the entry of conflict diamonds from the mainstream rough diamond market.

KPCS was established through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution. Conflict diamonds are the rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars with an aim to topple legitimate governments. Import and export of rough diamonds are prohibited without this certificate.

In India, the scheme is administered through the Department of Commerce. GJEPC is an organisation established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the promotion of gem and jewellery industry.