Russia, a major producer, blocks an effort to redefine “conflict diamonds.”

• The subject was removed from the agenda after concerns from Russia
• Conflict diamonds, according to the KP, are jewels that are used to support rebel groups that aim to topple legitimate governments.
• The Kimberley Process (KP), which certifies the export of rough diamonds

Before an international conflict diamond summit in Botswana, Russia has scuttled a Western-backed plan to examine whether its diamonds are fuelling war, according to letters obtained by Reuters.

The Kimberley Process (KP), which certifies the export of rough diamonds, is currently divided, which might paralyse the consensus-based organisation.

The letters, which have not previously been publicised, reveal a disagreement over a plan by the European Union, Australia, Canada, the United States, Canada, and Britain to discuss the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and whether or not to expand the KP’s definition of conflict diamonds to include state actors at its meeting in Botswana from June 20 to 24.

Sanctions have already been imposed on Russia’s Alrosa (ALRS.MM), the largest producer of rough diamonds in the world and a mostly state-owned company that produced almost 30% of the world’s supply in 2017.

The subject was removed from the agenda after concerns from Russia, Belarus, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Kyrgyzstan. The matter was originally scheduled for discussion for one hour on May 20 in the draught agenda.

In a letter dated June 9 and addressed to 85 countries, business representatives, and civil society organisations, Jacob Thamage, chair of Botswana’s KP, said, “We find ourselves at an impasse. Conflict diamonds, according to the KP, are jewels that are used to support rebel groups that aim to topple legitimate governments.