The Minister of Natural Resource of the Republic of South Africa, Ms. Susan Shabangu, will deliver a keynote address to the Plenary Session of the 8th Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council in Vicenza, Italy, on May 14. Ms. Shabangu will be leading a delegation of high-level officials from South Africa.
South Africa was the first chair of the Kimberley Process, and will mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme during next year. The country scheduled to become KP chair on January 1, 2013.
President of the World Diamond Council, Eli Izhakoff have expressed his welcome to the delegation and noted the importance of such a visit from African continent.
"South Africa will play a key role in the Kimberley Process during the coming two years, their presence underscores the commitment to the ongoing alliance between government, industry and civil society in defending the integrity of the diamond trade," said Eli.
Among the other senior government officials who will be addressing the WDC Annual Meeting Plenary on May 14 are Ambassador Gillian A. Milovanovic of the United States, the Chair of the Kimberley Process; and Tung-Lai Margue, Director, Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments of the European Commission.
Veronica Novoselova, Rough&Polished correspondent in Italy
Exclusive
Sarine’s David Block: Diamond Industry at Standstill Until Chinese Demand Returns
David Block is CEO of Israel’s Sarine Technologies and has served in the position since 2012. In this exclusive interview for Rough and Polished, Block gives his opinion on the leading issues affecting today’s diamond trade.
11 september 2024
Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge: Demand for considerable-sized diamonds stronger than ever
The African Diamond Council (ADC) chairperson Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa in an exclusive interview that although overall global diamond prices have been somewhat soft, the demand for considerable-sized diamonds...
02 september 2024
Amplats sees prospects as a standalone company
Anglo has revealed its plans to demerge Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), which has operations in South Africa and Zimbabwe, to optimise shareholder value. Rough&Polished contacted Amplats to comment on this and other issues but was referred...
19 august 2024
WFDB President Yoram Dvash Remains Confident Despite Global Diamond Challenges
Yoram Dvash is President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) having been elected in 2020. He found time in his busy schedule to speak to Rough&Polished about the state of the diamond industry around the world and some of the major...
12 august 2024
Lyudmila Vysotskaya: Amber is a mystical stone, a living substance
Lyudmila Vysotskaya is a Kaliningrad-based amber artist and designer, expert, chairwoman of the Amber Academy and member of the Creative Union of Artists in Decorative and Applied Arts. This summer, visitors could admire the art works by Lyudmila Vysotskaya...
30 july 2024
