The World Diamond Council (WDC), which represents stakeholders across the entire diamond value chain—from mining to retail—announced that discussions took a decisive step forward after the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) proposed new language that garnered broad consensus among member states.

“This is a pivotal moment,” said WDC President Feriel Zerouki in her closing remarks. “We are almost at the finish line. Let us stand together. Let us keep the momentum. Let us get this done.”

Pressure to broaden the scope of the term “conflict diamonds” has intensified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reigniting global calls for reform. The existing definition, unchanged since the Kimberley Process was established in 2000, applies solely to rough diamonds used by rebel groups to fund armed conflict against legitimate governments. It notably excludes abuses committed by state actors or other participants in the diamond trade.

While the exact wording of the newly proposed definition has not been publicly disclosed, earlier reform efforts have called for it to include all forms of “diamond-related violence in rough diamond producing and trading areas,” encompassing not only rebel groups but also state and non-state actors accused of human rights violations.

Zerouki reiterated at the 2024 plenary that all members of the Kimberley Process—from producing nations and traders to manufacturers and consumer markets—must actively engage in updating the definition to reflect contemporary concerns.

The WDC had been leading efforts to encourage dialogue and foster consensus on the issue, though progress had remained sluggish due to limited engagement from some participating countries. This recent development, however, marks a turning point and raises hopes for a more inclusive and responsible diamond certification framework.

The redefinition, if finalised, could significantly reshape how ethical sourcing is addressed within the global diamond industry.