World Diamond Council (WDC) president Feriel Zerouki opened the 2025 Kimberley Process (KP) plenary with a decisive call for participants to support a modernised definition of conflict diamonds, marking a pivotal moment for the international certification scheme.

Zerouki highlighted three years of work, drafting and negotiation led by the WDC, along with the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) and Civil Society Coalition (CSC).

The WDC has proposed expanding the KP definition of conflict diamonds beyond diamonds used by rebel groups to fund civil wars, to also include rough diamonds connected to serious human rights abuses, systemic violence by State or private security forces, forced labour, child labour, corruption, extortion and any armed group or individual operating under UN sanctions.

The intention is to modernise the framework so that it reflects contemporary forms of harm linked to diamond production and trade, broadening accountability beyond traditional rebel movements and strengthening consumer confidence by aligning the system with global human rights and responsible sourcing standards.

“Anyone who chooses to veto, at this final stage, is making three strong statements: The first is that they believe conflict can only exist when it threatens a legitimate government and is fought by rebels. We all know that is untrue.”

“The second is that they are turning their backs on diamond communities – many of whom are vulnerable to exploitation and need a mandate that includes them in its protection.”

“The third is [that] they simply want the KP to stall. They knowingly set impossible requirements – under the guise of doing the right thing – ensuring that expansion is set up to fail. They make demands that go far beyond the authority of the KP, demands that no UN instrument uses, and that no peace treaty in the world has ever used. Such actions do not defend progress. They are obstacles to it,” she said.

The 2025 KP plenary is currently being held in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from November 17 to 22, hosted under the chairmanship of the UAE, which holds the KP chair for the 2025 cycle.

The plenary brings together representatives from 86 participating governments, the WDC, the CSC and the ADPA, along with a range of observer organisations and technical experts.

Over the course of the week, delegates will review the work of KP working groups, negotiate the proposed expansion of the conflict-diamond definition, and address governance, monitoring and compliance issues that shape the integrity of the global rough diamond trade.

“The world has changed. The risks have changed. The expectations of consumers have changed. And the idea that we must stay silent to preserve consensus belongs to another era. Today, we stand together at a crossroads. Will participants choose to move the KP forward, or will some choose to hold it back?” Zerouki said.

She stressed that the expanded definition would extend protection to 1.5-million artisanal diamond miners and allow KP intervention where communities were vulnerable.

“It is clear that Africa wants an expanded definition. All African diamond producers are supporting the draft definition. It is clear that Africa wants progress. And it is clear that Africa sees the human cost of delay more sharply than anyone else in this room. We are at the line. Let us have the courage and unity to cross it,” Zerouki said.