36th World Diamond Congress concludes in Antwerp

Discussions of sister organizations headlined by concerns about industry financing, transparency and compliance issues, synthetic diamonds, laboratory services, industry communications

Antwerp, Belgium – June 18, 2014: The 36th World Diamond Congress concluded in Antwerp, Belgium, and reflected strength in the attendance and the presence of international diamond, gem stone and jewellery industry organization delegates. These included the representatives of 30 bourses affiliated to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), 15 members of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), the two bodies that organize the biennial world diamond congresses. They were joined by CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation and the World Diamond Council.

WFDB President Ernest Blom said that he was very pleased with the strong attendance of the WFDB affiliate bourses and with the topics that were raised and covered. “At the heart of our discussions were the sustainability and reputation of the diamond industry and trade at large. Among others, the WFDB resolved to build on its communications strategy and to expedite communications on a global level.”

IDMA president Maxim Shkadov said the IDMA members and the WFDB had held long and intense discussions on the diamond supply chain. “We talked at length about issues such as financing and the manufacturers’ relationships with the banks and other financial institutions active in the diamond industry and trade. In addition, we expressed our concern regarding the significant diversities of laboratory diamond grading standards and their impact on consumer confidence in diamonds; spoke about the DDI and the necessity of promoting advances in social and economic conditions throughout the diamond mining sector worldwide; and reviewed the FATF report about money laundering,” Shkadov noted. “And these are just a few out of the many other topics raised,” he added.

The WFDB and IDMA resolved that the 2015 Presidents’ Meeting will take place in Ramat Gan, Israel and the 37^th World Diamond Congress in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

From left (standing): Eli Izhakoff, Honorary President of the WFDB; Stephane Fischler, president of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and IDMA Treasurer; Edward Asscher, president of the World Diamond Council; Dieter Hahn, Honorary Treasurer, WFDB; Jeffrey Fischer, Honorary President, IDMA; and Julien Drijbooms, President of HRD Antwerp NV. Seated, from left, are Shmuel Schnitzer, Honorary President of the WFDB and President of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE); Maxim Shkadov; Ernest Blom; Rony Unterman, Secretary General, WFDB; and Ronnie VanderLinden, IDMA’s Secretary General Manager.

About IDMA

IDMA was founded and convened for the first time in 1946, in Antwerp. It is committed to fostering and promoting the highest ideals of honesty and best practice principles throughout the global diamond industry, as well as full compliance with all relevant national and international laws. The organization has developed and adopted a Code of Conduct, which is binding on all 15 member associations. IDMA also works to encourage fair and honorable practices and decent working conditions for industry employees; and to preserve, protect and promote consumer trust and confidence in diamonds. It encourages and supports social responsibility by the industry in respect to all citizens of the world.

The Association has played an active role in establishing the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and is a co-founder of the World Diamond Council.