World Jewellery Confederation holding 2013 congress in Tel Aviv

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, announced that its annual congress this year is to be held in Tel Aviv from May 7 to 9. Pre-congress meetings start on May 5.

The congress is being hosted by the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) and will take place at the Dan Panorama Hotel.

The CIBJO Congress is the official forum for meetings of the CIBJO Assembly of Delegates. This year's congress will bring together members of national jewelry and gemstone associations from in excess of 40 countries as well as representatives of many of the industry's most important commercial organizations.

The congress is also the forum for CIBJO's professional commissions. It is the venue at which the organization's Diamond, Coloured Stones, Pearl, Precious Metals and Gemmological Blue Books are debated and updated.

CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri said: "Israel is known primarily as one of the world's largest diamond and gemstone centres, but it also is an important jewellery manufacturer in its own right, and a hothouse for the development of much of the most sophisticated technology used in our industry today. The congress will provide our members with a fascinating insight into this exciting country."

IDI Chairman Moti Ganz said Israel plays "an absolutely fundamental role in the life of the diamond and jewellery industries, reporting last year a net turnover of rough and polished diamonds worth close to $17 billion.

"Our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our business and its stakeholders is absolute, and in this respect we are keen to support the dialogue and cooperation facilitated by CIBJO," Ganz added.

The annual meeting of the World Diamond Council will take place before the CIBJO Congress.