Both of the annual meetings will take place under the auspices of the Israel Diamond Institute under the leadership of Moti Ganz. The congress of CIBJO – the World Jewellery Confederation – officially begins with the conclusion on May 6 of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council.
The Ninth Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council (WDC), and the CIBJO Congress started on May 5 in Tel Aviv. The WDC meeting lasts for two days, with senior figures from the diamond mining sector from across the world taking part. They are debating issues of importance to the global diamond sector.
The WDC serves as the representative of the diamond industry on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
The main issues on the agenda are reforms to the structure of the organization and selecting a new president after current head Eli Izhakoff announced he was standing down after 13 years.
Delegates will also enjoy social events along with the WDC’s business. The meeting takes place under the auspices of the Israel Diamond Institute.
“The Israel Diamond Institute is pleased to welcome leaders of the diamond industry and government representatives here in Tel Aviv,” said IDI Chairman Moti Ganz.
“This is the third time that we have had the pleasure of hosting this event and we regard it as an important mission to support the WDC,” he added.
Meanwhile, WDC President Eli Izhakoff said: “We are very happy to welcome a group of distinguished industry leaders who are putting in a lot of their time for the benefit of the WDC. “Your presence here emphasizes not only the importance of the meeting but also brings great respect to the role that the diamond industry plays in the conflict diamond issue in the Kimberley Process.”
Meanwhile, the CIBJO Congress opens officially with the end of the WDC meeting despite the fact that a number of meetings of the organization’s committees are taking place at the same time as the meetings of the WDC.
A number of commissions will meet at the CIBJO Congress, including those dealing with diamonds, gemstones, pearls, gemology and other issues.
CIBJO delegates will have a tour of the Israel Diamond exchange as well as a number of social events. As with the WDC meeting, the CIBJO Congress is also being held with the support of the IDI.
At the CIBJO Gala dinner which will take place on May 8, the recipient of the awards for outstanding product, certificates of appreciation and excellence in the diamond sector will be announced.
The certificate is awarded by the IDI to members of the Israel Diamond Exchange in two categories: development of state-of-the-art diamond polishing, and in the jewelry section – a top-end item of jewelry set with Israeli diamonds.
By Iris Hortman
IDI Information Officer
