7 March 2018: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has welcomed progress made under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme on tackling illicit trade in diamonds and its role in armed conflict. Some governments noted linkages between diamond production and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Kimberley Process was initiated by African diamond-producing countries with the aim of eliminating “conflict diamonds” from legitimate trade, and came into effect in 2003 with UN Security Council resolution 1459 (2003). The annual plenary meeting for the Process, held in Brisbane, Australia, from 10-14 December 2017, resulted in a communique presented to the Assembly. It notes that:

• the Kimberley Process contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda’s ambitions of ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity;
• SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) will be critical for the eradication of extreme poverty within a decade; and
• the Kimberley Process should aim to ensure that it “makes an even greater contribution” towards achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

On 7 March 2018, the UNGA met to take action on the draft resolution titled, ‘The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict: breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts.’ By the text, the UNGA takes note of the Brisbane outcome, and recognizes that trade in conflict diamonds can fuel “armed conflict, the activities of rebel movements … and the illicit traffic in and proliferation of … small arms and light weapons,” with “devastating” results for the peace, safety, security and human rights of people in affected countries. It also acknowledges that the diamond sector can promote economic and social development, which are necessary for poverty reduction and meeting the requirements of the SDGs in many producing countries.

The resolution stresses the need to continue the Kimberley Process’ activities, and encourages further strengthening to enhance its effectiveness, and to ensure that it continues to contribute to international peace and security, including peacebuilding, and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The resolution requests the establishment of a dedicated secretariat and a multi‑donor trust fund to support broad‑based participation.

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, outgoing chair of the Process, recalled that before the Kimberley Process, diamonds were mined in conflict zones, while at the other end of the supply chain, it was difficult for customers to know where the diamonds had originated. Today, young people are three times more likely than older generations to avoid diamonds unless they have been responsibly sourced, she reported. She said the international community should examine new ways to align the diamond trade with the 2030 Agenda and sustaining peace. The EU, chair of the Process for 2018, welcomed the decision to set up an Ad Hoc Committee on Review and Reform.

Israel noted that the diamond industry provides almost 40,000 jobs in sub‑Saharan Africa, and revenues have led to greater access to education and health care. Conflict‑free diamonds “bring the world a step closer to ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity,” Israel added. Botswana said diamond sales in his country have “fostered the implementation of national development plans alongside the 2030 Agenda and the African Union Agenda 2063.” He highlighted an urgent need to reform and strengthen the Kimberley Process, to address the emerging challenges of synthetic diamonds and government capacity constraints in establishing regulation.

An intersessional meeting will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, in June 2018. Following the EU’s chairship in 2018, India will chair the Process in 2019. [UNGA Meeting Summary] [Note Verbale] [Draft Resolution] [UN Security Council Resolution] [SDG Knowledge Hub coverage of SDG 16]