Valuation, certification, and digitalisation securing KP

In the face of a culture that provides criticism without solutions, the Kimberley Process continues to evolve through transparent valuation, ISO-certified practices

- Ahmed Bin Sulayem

The Kimberley Process, which concluded its Plenary in November 2025, has now completed its 'Year of Best Practice'. Over the past 12 months, it has focused on practical solutions that have strengthened the KP's effectiveness through operational excellence, uncompromising integrity, and modern technology.

This work has supported ongoing efforts to close loopholes exploited by illicit actors, improve transparency, and ensure that diamond wealth benefits producing nations and their communities. As we move into 2026, it is essential that the KP family continues to enforce and uphold three core pillars: transparent valuation, global certification standards, and digitalisation.

The first line of defence against conflict diamonds is not only a certificate, but fair valuation. Accurate valuation strengthens parcel and certificate alignment. When value is assessed correctly and recorded on a KP certificate, it becomes a practical way to verify that a physical shipment matches its documentation. By contrast, weak or arbitrary valuation creates an immediate loophole that illicit trade can exploit. Under invoicing rough diamonds also deprives producing nations of vital tax and royalty revenue, weakening governance and making communities more vulnerable to the abuses the KP was designed to prevent.