By Forum staff writer
Sierra Leone is playing a prominent role at the 2026 Kimberley Process Intercessional Meetings taking place in Mumbai, India, as the country leads discussions in its capacity as Chair of the African Diamond Producers Association.
The high level meetings have brought together representatives from diamond producing countries, industry stakeholders, and international partners to discuss the future of the global diamond trade and measures aimed at strengthening confidence in the natural diamond industry.
Ahead of the official plenary sessions, Sierra Leone chaired a preparatory meeting involving member states of the African Diamond Producers Association, widely known as ADPA. The session focused on shared concerns affecting African diamond producing nations and explored strategies to improve cooperation across mining, trading, and retail sectors within the global diamond market.
During the opening plenary held on Sunday 11 May, Sierra Leone delivered a statement on behalf of ADPA, calling for stronger international collaboration to protect the natural diamond industry from increasing pressures linked to the growing presence of lab grown diamonds in global markets.
The statement stressed that millions of people around the world depend directly and indirectly on the natural diamond sector for jobs, economic survival, and community development. Sierra Leone warned that the rapid expansion of synthetic diamonds without clear market distinction could threaten the livelihoods of mining communities, traders, and workers across several African countries.
Delegates also discussed the need to strengthen consumer confidence in natural diamonds by promoting transparency, credibility, and compliance throughout the supply chain.
Sierra Leone reaffirmed ADPA’s commitment to supporting the current Kimberley Process chairmanship and endorsed the theme of this year’s intercessional meetings, “Confidence, Credibility, and Compliance.”
Officials said the theme reflects ongoing efforts to maintain the relevance of the Kimberley Process framework at a time when the diamond industry is facing changing market trends, increased competition, and growing calls for ethical sourcing and traceability.
The Kimberley Process was established to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds and to ensure that diamond exports do not finance armed conflicts or human rights abuses. Over the years, the initiative has become an important platform for cooperation between governments, the diamond industry, and civil society organizations.
The meetings in Mumbai are expected to continue through Thursday with a series of intensive working group discussions covering policy reforms, industry sustainability, market protection, and the future direction of the Kimberley Process.
Participants are also expected to adopt and sign a final communiqué outlining collective commitments aimed at protecting the long term sustainability of the natural diamond industry and strengthening international cooperation among producing countries.
Sierra Leone’s active participation and leadership at the meetings have been viewed as a significant step in advancing Africa’s voice in global diamond governance and promoting the interests of diamond producing nations on the international stage.
