WDC Meeting Ends With Avi Paz Replacing Eli Izhakoff as President

Andrew Bone of De Beers, WDC Vice President, told the meeting that the WDC's directors had agreed to award President Eli Izhakoff, who announced earlier this year that was stepping down after 13 years in the position, the title of honorary life president of the WDC.

Izhakoff will be replaced by Avi Paz, former Israel Diamond Exchange and World Federation of Diamond Bourses President. Elections for the WDC presidency are due to be scheduled before the end of 2013.

The first speaker was Andrei Abramov, head of the NGOs section at the UN's ECOSOC organization. He spoke of the importance of the work of the WDC and the Kimberley Process in stamping out trade in conflict diamonds. Today, less than 1 percent of the diamonds traded around the world are conflict diamonds, he stressed.

He added that further progress should be made to ensure that diamonds are used to improve the lives of people in diamond-producing countries, particularly in Africa.

Israel's Economy and Commerce Minister Naftali Bennett addressed the meeting. He said the Israeli economy was strong and that the government's aim was to reduce regulation particularly regarding the diamond industry as well as others, and to reduce provisions relating to polished diamonds.

He said diamonds entering the country would be inspected on a sample basis rather than every parcel being examined as currently.

WDC President Eli Izhakoff in his speech to the meeting said that decisions had to be reached on a consensus basis in a changing world, otherwise the body would lose its legitimacy.

He stressed the important role that Israel plays in the global diamond trade and in the Kimberley Process, and said that the first KP certificate was issued in Israel in 2003.

He said the KP's role was to represent both the interests of consumers and producer-countries. He concluded by saying that leading the WDC had been one of the most fascinating experiences of his life. "My good friend Avi Paz will replace me. I thank you all for your support and commitment and I look forward to meeting you at future events."

Israel Diamond Exchange President Yair Sahar praised the IDI for its support of the WDC meeting and organizing it, and also Israel's role in the fight against conflict diamonds. "The Israeli diamond sector joined the battle against conflict diamonds in 2000 and was among the first countries to join the KP. "13 years have passed since we first hosted the WDC's annula meeting. It was also our pleasure to be Chair of the KP for a year."

Sahar spoke about Israel as an important and leading center for the holoding of conferences and congresses for the world's diamond and jewelry organizations, and praised the IDI for also sponsoring and organizing the CIBJO Congress that starts May 7. He mentioned the success of the US/International Diamond Week that took place in March and invited participants to take part in the next event August 26-29.

"The international diamond week is, in fact, a huge, diamond fair that is completely secure and without cost.

At the meeting, the WDC and the Kimberley Process signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will establish a permanent Administrative Support Mechanism to support the Kimberley Process in its mission to eradicate the trade in diamonds from conflict areas.

The MOU was signed by Eli Izhakoff and Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, Chair of the Kimberley Process.

According to the MOU, the World Diamond Council will provide a variety of support services to the Kimberley Process. These include the creation of an online electronic archive, the provision of communication services, logistical support for the KP Chair, chairs of KP Working Groups and ad hoc committees, as well as planning and following through on training, data, technical assistance and support.

The task of establishing and operating the Administrative Support Mechanism will be divided among four WDC members: the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, the Antwerp World Diamond Center, India's Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, and the Diamond House of the Government of Ghana.

During the meeting, the World Diamond Council expressed its support for the efforts currently made by the Chair of the Kimberley Process to monitor the flow of diamonds from the Central African Republic which currently is embroiled in civil conflict. These efforts include the consideration of suspending the trade in diamonds from the country, while the Kimberley Process works together with the CAR to gain control over the situation.