The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has announced that the organisation and its   partners – the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the African Diamond Producers Association and Belgium’s Federal Public Service-Foreign Affairs – have decided to postpone the African Diamond Conference, scheduled to be held in Durban, South Africa, from May5-6, 2020. The decision was taken as the organsisers of the conference concluded that it was “the only sensible and realistic option available” in the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

AWDC said that though a new date has not yet been finalised, it is likely that the conference will be rescheduled for late October 2020. 

“The decision to postpone the conference was only taken after thorough consideration of the current situation and of all the available options,” AWDC stressed. “At the end of the day, we felt the decision to postpone was the only feasible one. We need not point out to anyone the extent to which the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has disrupted everyday life across the globe, leading to the postponement or cancellation of myriad events in the interest of public health.”

And, the organisation went on say, like most organisers across the world, their top priority too, is to protect the health of all those involved and those with whom they come in contact. Especially as conference participants are expected from countries all across the world, including countries hardest hit by the outbreak. 

“Listening to the advice of experts around the world, we hope and anticipate the situation will be contained and normal life restored after a few difficult months,” AWDC concluded. “Until that time comes, however, we hope that you, your families and loved ones remain safe and healthy. We will inform you as soon as we know more about the new date of the conference and wish to convey that we have not lost any of our enthusiasm about seeing you in South Africa in the fall.”