The European Union regrets, that with the Plenary meeting last week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Kimberley process failed, for a third year in a row, to address the implications of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on the global rough diamond sector. This has a detrimental impact on the credibility of the Process and on the reputation of natural diamonds, undermining consumers’ confidence in the sector.

Following the continued objection from Russia to address the issue within the Kimberley Process, the EU, in coordination with G7, has put in place a ban on Russian diamonds that aims to deprive Russia of an important revenue fuelling its war of aggression against Ukraine. To that end, the EU has envisioned a robust traceability-based verification and certification mechanism that would provide certainty to consumers that they are not purchasing Russian blood diamonds.

The EU also deplores the unfounded allegations made at the Plenary by the Kimberley Process Chair in the context of the ban on Russian diamonds. His unfounded personal remarks not only betray the neutral and facilitating role expected of the Chair but also stand in contrast with the decades-long spirit of the Kimberley Process.

The EU, as a founding member of the Kimberley Process will continue working constructively towards its meaningful reform. The Kimberley Process must fulfil its role as an effective tool for conflict prevention, good governance, transparency in natural resources management and for breaking the link between rough diamonds and conflict.