On 9th February, 2026, the second high-level meeting of the Luanda Accord was held at African Mining Indaba, Cape Town. This meeting brought together different diamond-producing governments and industry stakeholders committed to sustaining investment in protecting and promoting the natural diamond category. The Republic of Namibia became a member of the Luanda Accord at the meeting, while India’s GJEPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets a pathway for GJEPC to become a Natural Diamond Council member by 1st May, 2026. At the same meeting, Uniate Arab Emirates’s DMCC by signing of Letter of Intent, reflecting their intention to become a member of the Natural Diamond Council by 1st May 2026 as well.
WHAT IS THE LUANDA ACCORD?
The Luanda Accord is a collaborative framework uniting diamond-producing governments and key industry stakeholders to support global generic marketing for natural diamonds. Led by the Natural Diamond Council, the Accord is built on the principle that sustaining consumer demand for natural diamonds requires shared responsibility and sustained investment across the entire value chain.
The Accord was formally launched at its inaugural high-level meeting in June 2025, bringing together producing countries and industry leaders from mining, manufacturing, and trading centres. Its core objective is to protect and promote the natural diamond category by ensuring that producing nations and downstream industry participants collectively contribute to telling the true story of natural diamonds—their rarity, authenticity, and positive socio-economic impact.
By signing the Luanda Accord, participants commit to supporting global category marketing efforts in alignment with agreed principles, recognising that no single country or organisation can carry the responsibility alone.
WHAT WILL THIS MEAN OF REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA?
At the second high-level meeting on 9 February 2026, the Government of the Republic of Namibia formally became a signatory to the Luanda Accord, joining Angola, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The move followed Namibia’s earlier expression of support in principle at the first meeting and the completion of all required governmental authorisations.
With a diamond industry dating back to 1908, Namibia is today the fifth largest diamond producer in the world by value and home to a significant cutting and polishing sector. Diamonds have long underpinned Namibia’s economic development, generating employment, supporting local communities, and providing government revenue for infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Commenting on the decision, Honourable Modestus Amutse, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia, said:
“Natural diamonds have helped shape Namibia’s economic story for more than a century, creating jobs, supporting communities, and contributing directly to national development. By joining the Luanda Accord, Namibia is affirming that producing countries have both a stake and a responsibility in telling the true story of natural diamonds. This is about ensuring that the value created by our resources continues to benefit our people, today and for generations to come.”
Following, Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, added:
“Namibia’s decision to formally join the Luanda Accord is a powerful signal of leadership from one of the world’s largest diamond-producing nations. Collective action is essential to protect the integrity and desirability of natural diamonds, and Namibia’s commitment strengthens our ability to tell the compelling story of their positive impact.”
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT INDIA?
India’s role in the global natural diamond industry came into sharper focus as the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the Natural Diamond Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a pathway for GJEPC to become a Natural Diamond Councilmember by 1 May 2026.
The MoU, signed by Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, and Amber Pepper, CEO, Natural Diamond Council, is subject to agreement on financial contributions and the completion of legal and regulatory requirements. Accession by May 2026 would enable both organisations to collaborate ahead of the 2026 holiday season, a critical period for consumer demand.
On signing the MoU, Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said:
“India sits at the heart of the global natural diamond value chain, from cutting and polishing to a fast-growing domestic consumer market. Joining forces with the Natural Diamond Council reflects our belief that the future of natural diamonds depends on collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to building long-term consumer confidence.”
Welcoming the move, Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, added:
“GJEPC have long been a valued partner of the Natural Diamond Council. Their move toward membership deepens that partnership and strengthens our ability to reach the next generation of consumers with clear, compelling information about what makes natural diamonds rare, authentic, and meaningful.”
The move builds on GJEPC’s signature of the Luanda Accord in June 2025, reinforcing India’s commitment to collective action across the natural diamond value chain.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR U.A.E.?
The United Arab Emirates’s Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) further reinforced the momentum behind the Luanda Accord by signing a Letter of Intent reflecting its intention to become a member of the Natural Diamond Councilby 1 May 2026.
As the world’s largest diamond trading hub, Dubai plays a central role in linking African production with international markets. DMCC’s engagement highlights the importance of aligning trading centres with producer nations and global marketing efforts.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, commented:
“As the world’s largest diamond trading hub, DMCC is home to a leading community of companies operating across the global diamond trade. Our move toward membership in the Natural Diamond Council reflects our commitment to supporting this community, while also contributing to the continued growth and long-term stability of the natural diamond industry.
Strengthening the way natural diamonds are presented to consumers is key to building awareness and sustaining demand. We also recognise the important role African producing nations play in the industry and will continue to work with partners to help ensure the value generated supports economic progress in the countries and communities from which these resources originate.
By connecting production with international markets through Dubai, DMCC will continue to support a transparent, competitive, and future-focused diamond sector.”
Welcoming the move, Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, added:
“I welcome the opportunity to work with DMCC to ensure that the industry’s efforts to support the natural diamond sector are aligned and amplified around the world.”
Together, the accession of Namibia, the planned entry of GJEPC into the NDC, and DMCC’s commitment represent a significant step forward for the Luanda Accord and the Natural Diamond Council. The developments reflect a growing recognition that the long-term health of the natural diamond industry depends on unity across producers, manufacturers, traders, and retailers.
The Luanda Accord signatories and the Natural Diamond Council continue to call on all participants across the diamond value chain to support this initiative. As the industry looks ahead, the message from Cape Town is clear: only a shared vision—matched by sustained investment in consumer demand—can secure the enduring value of natural diamonds for generations to come.
FAQs
1. What is the Natural Diamond Council (NDC)?
The Natural Diamond Council is an industry body that leads global generic marketing and consumer education for natural diamonds. It works with producing countries, industry organisations and trade hubs to promote the rarity, authenticity and positive socio-economic impact of natural diamonds worldwide.
2. What is the Luanda Accord and why is it important?
The Luanda Accord is a collaborative framework that brings together diamond-producing governments and industry stakeholders to support global category marketing for natural diamonds. It is important because it ensures shared responsibility and sustained investment across the diamond value chain to protect long-term consumer demand.
3. Why is GJEPC joining the Natural Diamond Council significant?
GJEPC represents India, the world’s largest centre for diamond cutting and polishing and a rapidly growing consumer market. Its move toward Natural Diamond Council membership strengthens collaboration between manufacturing, retail and marketing efforts, helping build long-term consumer confidence in natural diamonds.
4. What does Namibia’s entry into the Luanda Accord mean for the diamond industry?
Namibia’s formal entry signals strong producer-country leadership. As the fifth-largest diamond producer by value, Namibia’s commitment reinforces the role of producing nations in funding and shaping global marketing efforts for natural diamonds and highlighting their economic and social impact.
5. How does DMCC’s involvement support the Natural Diamond Council’s mission?
As the world’s largest diamond trading hub, DMCC connects African production with global markets. Its planned membership in the Natural Diamond Council aligns trading infrastructure with global marketing and transparency efforts, strengthening demand and long-term stability for the natural diamond industry.
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