The Kimberley Process began when the diamond producing states of Southern Africa met in Kimberley, South Africa in May 2000 to discuss ways to stop the trade in "war diamonds" and s 'ensure that diamond purchases do not finance the violence of rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.

The Kimberley Process is an international certification system that regulates the trade in rough diamonds. It aims to prevent the flow of diamonds from countries at war, while helping to protect the legitimate trade in rough diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification System (KPCS) defines the rules that govern the trade in rough diamonds. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet. The KP is not, strictly speaking, an international organization: it does not have permanent offices or permanent staff. It is based on contributions - according to the principle of "burden sharing" - of participants, supported by observers from industry and civil society. Nor can the KP be regarded as an international agreement from a legal point of view, as it is implemented through the national laws of its participants.

Participants in the Kimberley Process (KP) are states and regional economic integration organizations that are eligible to trade in rough diamonds. There are 56 participants representing 82 countries, the European Community counting as one participant. Participants include all major producing, exporting and importing countries of rough diamonds. The diamond industry, through the World Diamond Council, and civil society groups are also an integral part of the KP. These organizations have been involved from the start and continue to contribute to its implementation and effective monitoring.

82 governments have enshrined the Kimberley Process Certification System (KPCS) in law. Today, 99.8% of the world's diamonds come from conflict-free sources. However, even a single conflict diamond is one too many, the international diamond industry continues to work with governments, NGOs and the United Nations to strengthen the Kimberley Process and its safeguards system.