No decision on Russian roughs at KP meeting

Surat: In line with Surat diamond industry leaders’ expectations, the plenary meeting of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) did not take any restrictive actions against rough diamonds mined in Russia.
Following the war against Ukraine, several countries had demanded restrictions against the rough from Russia and the US was the first to initiate sanctions earlier this year. The meeting was held in Gaborone, capital of Botswana from November 1 to 4. Botswana currently chairs KP.
Voices in the KP meet were divided over Russian roughs over demands for discussion over restrictions and objections against it. In its final communication after the crucial meeting, the KP published the letters from various countries.
“The work outstanding relates to the Administrative Support, the Preamble and the definition of ‘conflict diamonds’. Furthermore, the Plenary noted that given the areas of work to be finalised, the sub-team on the Core Document proposed that it will be placed under the Ad Hoc Committee on Review and Reform (AHCRR). The Plenary accepted this proposal as reflected in the adopted AD on the AHCRR,” the final communication further stated.
“There has been a demand to broaden the KP’s definition of conflict diamonds to include all those part of the global business that uses diamonds to fund acts of aggression. Russia has been opposing this move,” a diamond industrialist from the city who does not wish to be quoted told TOI.
The rough from Russia is a lifeline for Surat’s diamond industry. Russia supplies 30 per cent of the global rough diamonds every year, of which a majority is mined by state-owned mining company Alrosa. Around 90 per cent of the total Russian supply reaches Surat and Mumbai for polishing.
In its letter to the KP ahead of the 5-day meeting, the State Gemological Centre of Ukraine had stated, “It is planned to discuss the issue of redefining the term ‘Conflict Diamonds’ in the KPCS. The realities of life are such that diamonds are involved in financing not only rebel movements against legitimate governments, but also the bloody actions of states such as Russia, directed against neighbouring peaceful states and equal participants in the KP - Ukraine.”
The European Union, United States of America, Canada, Australia and a few other countries had demanded discussion in connection with the war against Ukraine.