CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has announced dates for its next annual Congress which, it said, will be held from October 5 to October 7, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pre-congress meetings will take place on October 3 and October 4.

“The 2020 congress will be hosted by DMCC (Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre), one of the world’s leading free zones, which is tasked by the Government of Dubai Authority to drive commodities trade and enterprise,” CIBJO said when making the announcement. “With more than 17,000 businesses registered, DMCC sits at the heart of the region’s growing jewellery trade, and is home to the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), the only World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) accredited bourse in the Arabian Gulf. The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), and Dubai Design Academy (DDA) are also based in DMCC.”

The official venue of the 2020 CIBJO Congress is the Almas Conference Centre, located in the DMCC’s iconic Almas Tower headquarters.

This will be the second time that a CIBJO Congress will place in Dubai; with the first being held there in 2008, when it also was hosted by DMCC.

“CIBJO congresses serve as the official gathering place for the World Jewellery Confederation’s Assembly of Delegates,” CIBJO stated. “They are also the venue for the annual meetings of CIBJO’s sectoral commissions, where amendments can be introduced to the organisation’s definitive directories of international industry standards for diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, gem labs, precious metals, coral and responsible sourcing, known as the Blue Books.”

Apart from the business of the organisation, the CIBJO Congress also discusses matters related to the  programme of the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF), relating to responsible and sustainable activities in the industry; and CIBJO’s ongoing cooperation with the United Nations and its development programme is reported upon.

“We are delighted to be returning to Dubai which, over the past decade has established itself as one of the world’s most important jewellery and gemstone hubs and its third largest diamond trading centres,” said Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO President. “As a city that straddles both East and West, it is a most fitting venue for our global confederation’s annual congress. We thank the DMCC for its generous invitation.”

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC commented: “The prestigious CIBJO Congress is one of the most important moments in the international jewellery trade calendar. Selected to host the event for a second time underscores Dubai’s standing in the trade, and role in shaping its future. Hospitality is part of Dubai’s DNA, and DMCC looks forward to welcoming colleagues from across the globe, and joining the conversation at this crucial juncture for the industry.”

The organisation also announced that a dedicated CIBJO Congress 2020 website will be launched shortly.

Pic Cap: Almas Tower, the headquarters of DMCC in the heart of Dubai, selected as the venue for 2020 CIBJO Congress.

Pic Courtesy: CIBJO