The European Union (EU) has criticized the actions of Kimberley Process (KP) Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem during the most recent plenary session, which took place from November 11 to 15. The EU expressed disappointment over the meeting’s failure to address an ongoing issue that has affected the global diamond trade for several years.
For the third consecutive year, the plenary did not discuss the impact of the Russian war against Ukraine on the rough-diamond sector. This omission, the EU argues, damages the credibility of the KP and harms the reputation of natural diamonds, leading to decreased consumer confidence.
An EU spokesperson highlighted that due to Russia’s continued resistance to discussing the matter, the EU, in coordination with the G7, has implemented a ban on Russian diamonds. The aim is to deprive Russia of an important source of revenue used to fund its aggression against Ukraine. The EU has proposed a traceability-based verification and certification system to ensure consumers can confidently avoid buying Russian “blood diamonds.”
Bin Sulayem, also the chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), publicly criticized the EU’s proposal for a single diamond certification node in Antwerp. Speaking at the closing of the plenary, he argued that the model would disrupt trade flows and impose unnecessary costs, which would hurt the very nations the KP was created to support, particularly African diamond producers. He added that this approach was self-serving and created financial burdens for these countries.
Bin Sulayem further expressed his disagreement by quoting Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, who said: “Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.”
In response, the EU strongly rejected Bin Sulayem’s remarks, calling them baseless. “The EU deplores the unfounded allegations made at the plenary by the Kimberley Process chair in the context of the Russian diamond ban,” the spokesperson said. The EU stated that his comments contradicted the neutral and facilitative role expected of the KP chair and went against the long-standing principles of the Kimberley Process.
Looking ahead, Bin Sulayem is set to continue his leadership of the Kimberley Process through 2025, extending his term beyond the typical one-year rotation among member countries.
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