India was selected as Chair of Ad Hoc Committee on Review & Reforms (AHCRR) to reform the process for the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme at recently held KP Plenary Session in Brisbane, Australia.
Angola will be the Vice Chair of this Adhoc Committee
India was appointed as the Kimberly Process (KP) Vice Chair for 2018 & Chair for 2019 in the last plenary of KP held in Dubai in November, 2016. The EU will be KP Chair for 2018.
India is one of the founding members of KPCS. At present, KPCS has 54 members representing 81 countries including EU with 28 members.
The Kimberley Process is a joint Government, International Diamond Industry and Civil Society to stem the flow of Conflict Diamonds which are rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance wars against legitimate governments.
In India, the scheme is administered through Department of Commerce under aegis of the Union Commerce and Industry Ministry.
The KPCS completely bans import and export of rough diamonds without certification.