ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SourcingNov 21, 2016
From Dubai, A Puzzling Press Release Follows KP Plenary
The Kimberley Process chair touted the passage of two “historic” agreements but others are saying that’s actually not what happened at the meeting.
Incoming Kimberley Process Chair Robert Owen-Jones (left), current Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem and World Diamond Council President Andrey Polyakov at the recent KP plenary meeting in Dubai. The chair said following the plenary that two major proposals passed, but the official record of the meeting indicates otherwise.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--Following the Kimberley Process plenary meeting in Dubai, the KP chair nation touted the passage of two “historic” proposals, which would be a huge step for a process that’s perennially unable to move forward on substantive issues.
The only problem: It doesn’t seem that either of the agreements actually passed.
On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates sent out a press release stating that at the meeting, members of the KP had reached a “historic agreement,” voting to approve the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the process and a proposal to establish a common fund for its Civil Society Coalition, the group of NGOs involved in the process.
The release, which was picked up by trade websites IDEX Online and Rapaport, quoted KP Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem as saying that, “The historic decisions made today will have an enduring impact on the long-term sustainability of the KP and the diamond industry. We are very proud of the way that the KP family has come together to enact these vital proposals that will lend greater structure and transparency to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. I look forward to working closely with the next KP chair to ensure these initiatives are implemented efficiently and effectively.”
The release also stated that both proposals would go before the United Nations General Assembly for adoption before the end of the year.
However, several people with knowledge of the situation told National Jeweler that neither of these proposals passed at the meeting, with one observer calling the UAE’s press release a “mischaracterization” that is “quite unprecedented.”
The final communiqué from the meeting posted on the KP website backs this up, as it states that the plenary “recognized the effort and took note of” these two proposals made by the KP chair and “looked forward to continued discussion of these proposals under the incoming chair.”
It states nothing about either proposal passing, and their alleged “historic” passage also wasn’t mentioned by World Diamond Council President Andrey Polyakov in his closing remarks at the plenary.
In fact, according to a transcript of those remarks shared with National Jeweler, Polyakov said: “We believe it is necessary to work further on key initiatives such as the establishment of a permanent secretariat and an independent fund for financing the participation of NGOs.”
When asked about the discrepancy between the press release and others’ accounts of the meeting, a spokesman for the KP
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
chair said on Friday, “The principles were adopted as reflected in the Final Communique, and will now need to be worked out further in detail. Per procedure, all that was adopted in the final communique goes for approval in a UN resolution. Without an annual UN resolution, the KP stops to exist.”
The KP chair did not respond when pressed further on the issue.
Dan Thomas, a spokesman for the president of the UN General Assembly, did not respond to multiple inquiries regarding the KP.
The press release distributed by the KP chair following the plenary caps off a year in which Bin Sulayem has been very active, traveling to multiple diamond-producing countries, initiating a series of workshops on rough diamond valuation, and pushing the ideas of both a permanent secretariat and funding for the Civil Society Coalition.
In addition, 2016 marked the resumption of rough diamond exports from several areas of the Central African Republic, a nation that had been suspended from the KP since 2013.
But the year has also been one in which Bin Sulayem’s statements to the press have been called into question multiple times, including this one regarding the KP Civil Society Coalition just before the plenary.
And Bin Sulayem has been unable to mend fences with the coalition, which stood by its year-long boycott of the process and still is undecided on what it will do in 2017, said Zuzia Danielski, a spokesperson for Partnership Africa Canada, a coordinator for the coalition.
At the plenary, the KP did vote to readmit Venezuela, which voluntarily withdrew in 2008.
KP members also came to an agreement that Australia would be the next nation to head the process.
Robert Owen-Jones, who is the assistant secretary of the Australian Competitiveness Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will be representing his country as chair.
Also at the plenary, the KP selected vice chairs for the next two years.
The European Union was tapped for the position in 2017 and India for 2018. This means the EU is in line to chair the process in 2018, followed by India in 2019.
In a press release sent out by the WDC following the meeting, Polyakov called the selection of two vice chairs an “extremely important precedent” that “will allow the KP to look ahead even further, empowering the stability and consistency of the organization.”
The KP chair did not respond when pressed further on the issue.
Dan Thomas, a spokesman for the president of the UN General Assembly, did not respond to multiple inquiries regarding the KP.
The press release distributed by the KP chair following the plenary caps off a year in which Bin Sulayem has been very active, traveling to multiple diamond-producing countries, initiating a series of workshops on rough diamond valuation, and pushing the ideas of both a permanent secretariat and funding for the Civil Society Coalition.
In addition, 2016 marked the resumption of rough diamond exports from several areas of the Central African Republic, a nation that had been suspended from the KP since 2013.
But the year has also been one in which Bin Sulayem’s statements to the press have been called into question multiple times, including this one regarding the KP Civil Society Coalition just before the plenary.
And Bin Sulayem has been unable to mend fences with the coalition, which stood by its year-long boycott of the process and still is undecided on what it will do in 2017, said Zuzia Danielski, a spokesperson for Partnership Africa Canada, a coordinator for the coalition.
At the plenary, the KP did vote to readmit Venezuela, which voluntarily withdrew in 2008.
KP members also came to an agreement that Australia would be the next nation to head the process.
Robert Owen-Jones, who is the assistant secretary of the Australian Competitiveness Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will be representing his country as chair.
Also at the plenary, the KP selected vice chairs for the next two years.
The European Union was tapped for the position in 2017 and India for 2018. This means the EU is in line to chair the process in 2018, followed by India in 2019.
In a press release sent out by the WDC following the meeting, Polyakov called the selection of two vice chairs an “extremely important precedent” that “will allow the KP to look ahead even further, empowering the stability and consistency of the organization.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
