The World Diamond Council (WDC) held its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New York last week. It was attended by members from across the globe; and had the participation of more than 100 representatives from the diamond industry, government, civil society and media.

At the meeting, participants studied new proposals for industry self-regulation procedures, as well as proposals for the Kimberley Process (KP) review process to be engaged in 2017. The main focus of discussions, however, was the new proposed Strategic Plan, “which will guide the organisation’s work through 2020 as it continues to serve as the industry voice in the KP”, WDC said in a statement.

“The WDC has been tasked with maintaining stability in the diamond world, building upon the successful eradication of 99% of the world’s conflict diamonds,” stated Andrey Polyakov, President of the WDC and Vice President of ALROSA. “This success is being realised through active participation, transparency and continued dialogue.”

Maurice Tempelsman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lazare Kaplan International Inc. delivered the keynote address. Praising the progress the diamond industry continues to make and its ability to collaborate across diverse groups, he said: “It is vital to maintain a sense of direction and the WDC is a rarity in that its mandate requires strategic dialogue with governments as well as nongovernmental organisations.”

H.E. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, expressing the United Nations’ perspective, noting, “The WDC is the strongest lobbyist for the diamond industry within the Kimberley Process and a perfect example of an organisation coming together to accomplish goals through compromise during a time of continuous global instability.”

Andrew Keller, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said:  “I’d like to personally recognise the WDC’s support of the KP review system. We must keep tackling the issues facing us to ensure the integrity of the world’s diamond supply chain from mine to market.”

Robert Owen-Jones, Assistant Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, slated to be the next KP Chair in 2017, in his speech, applauded the relationship between the WDC and the KP. He said: “It is something you don’t see a lot of in other intergovernmental processes. It is not just an open forum but a true lasting partnership.”

Andrew Bone, Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), and Fred Waelter, Global Business Lead for UL’s Responsible Sourcing division, made presentations on RJC industry certification and UL supply chain verification, respectively. 

“The AGM provided a platform for WDC members to discuss industry issues, share educational information and hold the organisation’s board of directors and business meetings,” WDC stated. “Since the formation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in 2003, the establishment of best practices and voluntary guidelines like the WDC’s System of Warranties have transformed the diamond industry. “

WDC’s AGM was hosted by the United States Jewelry Council (USJC) and supported by Signet Jewelers, ABN Amro Bank, De Beers Group, Brinks, UL and JCK.