Kisna Diamond Jewellery felicitates retailers and distributors

The 5th Kisna conference saw a record attendance of retailers who enjoyed the program which was a perfect combination of prizes and entertainment.

Post By : IJ News Service On 04 May 2011 11:42 AM
Jerusalem, May 10, 2007: The World Diamond Council (WDC) held its fifth annual meeting hosted by the Israeli Diamond Industry, at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem on May 9 and 10, 2007, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of the diamond industry and its unrelenting goal to eradicate the trade in Conflict Diamonds. %% Welcoming the World Diamond Council delegates, Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute said, “Since its founding, the WDC has served as an essential part of our industry and played a highly effective role in facing the challenges to the diamond world. I am certain that this auspicious gathering will serve as a symbol of the strength and dynamism of our industry.”
Global Meeting :
The meeting of over 100 participants provided a unique opportunity to review the work of the past year, while determining how the WDC and the industry will continue to tackle the issue of Conflict Diamonds. The meeting featured an esteemed list of high profile speakers ranging from Gareth Penny, Managing Director of De Beers and Sergey Vibornov, President of Alrosa as well as Israeli Vice-Prime Minister- Shimon Peres, Deputy- Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade & Labour Eli Ishai and Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Israeli Likud Party. Ernest Blom, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB)- Jeff Fischer, President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and Gaetano Cavalieri, President, World Jewelry Confederation (CIBJO). They focused the current concerns surrounding the Kimberley Process.
Commitment Reaffirmed :
Since 2000, the diamond industry, under the leadership of the World Diamond Council, has worked diligently in conjunction with governments from around the globe, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations to eradicate the trade in ‘Conflict Diamonds.’ Today, thanks to the Kimberley Process, and the industry’s enthusiastic participation in it, Conflict Diamonds account for an estimated less than one per cent of the world trade in rough diamonds. In spite of this success, the WDC continues to believe that just one Conflict Diamond is one too many and it reaffirmed its commitment to continue working closely through the Kimberley Process to ensure that consumers can be confident that the diamonds they are buying remain the pure ultimate symbols of love and commitment.
Resolve to Firmly Tackle Violations :
The WDC also made it clear that the industry will continue to take a firm stand when it believes that Kimberley Process procedures are being flouted and will call on governments and the international community to take swift and effective action. In particular, the WDC focused attention on the problematic areas of Zimbabwe and Venezuela while highlighting the positive outcome of past areas such as Ghana and Liberia.
Eli Izhakoff, Chairman of the WDC, in his annual report stated, “The World Diamond Council believes strongly that a workable and effective Kimberley Process is absolutely essential if we and the millions of people who depend on this industry are to be properly protected from criminal activity and rebel or terrorist organizations that have no interest whatsoever in protecting the lives of innocents, in business ethics or in sustainable development in Africa.$$ “We will face many more challenges in the future and we must prepare ourselves for them,” added Izhakoff. %% In his keynote address, De Beers’ Managing Director, Gareth Penny said that that the industry will continue to be judged on how it conducts its business and urged everyone to aspire to the highest ethical business standards, a practice he referred to as “living up to diamonds”. He went on to say that, “the WDC must be truly representative of the industry and the people and countries in which we conduct our business and it must continue to be transparent and accountable to all those who participate in it.”
The Diamond Dream :
Diamonds are an emotional product and we often talk of the diamond dream. The consumer dreams of a diamond that will perfectly symbolize emotions such as love and commitment. Let us also remember the dreams of those millions around the world whose livelihoods depend on a prosperous and well managed diamond industry. From Botswana to India; from South Africa to Israel, everyone of them benefits from an industry that sets the pace in business and sets an example in the way it carries out that business. %% The World Diamond Council has accomplished a great deal in seeking to achieve these ideals. It has gained international credibility and respect and remains the most effective and appropriate organization to represent the whole industry, right along the diamond value chain. It is proof that there is a fundamental need for and many benefits to be gained from, the industry speaking with one voice.
Beware of Challenges :
Russia’s delegate- Sergey Vibornov, President of Alrosa proudly recalled the fact that Shtyrov, the President of Yakutia, was elected Chairman of the Kimberly Process in 2005 which reflects the high regard for the Russian diamond industry’s contribution to the Kimberley Process’ work.$$ The Kimberley Process is the first far-reaching step toward enhancing the diamond industry transparency. And this important accomplishment deserves praise. However, just like any other initiative in progress, the Kimberley Process is facing new challenges today. %% Sounding a note of caution, Vibornov said, “Generally speaking, it should be admitted that the Kimberly Process is currently far from being perfect both in terms of methodology and implementation. In fact, we do not know how many diamonds end up in the grey economy and are used by criminal or terrorist organizations. The notorious 4% or 1% may be conventionally attributed to conflict zones, but in no way to the shadow dealing in diamonds in general. The level of corruption in a number of KP member countries calls the efficiency of the bureaucratic certification procedures into question. And we have multiple examples of that insufficiency. Any increasing bureaucratic influence on the business will sooner or later result in an attempt to take advantage of this factor in unfair competition. Therefore, we should do our best to prevent such a turn. To a certain extent, today’s reports about Kimberly Process progress create an illusion of market wholesomeness, which is a misleading; real transparency is still far to reach.”
Additional Activities Needed :
Therefore, the Kimberly Process should be supplemented by activities focused on attaining the maximum level of transparency for diamond-mining companies, developing a set of minimum compliance requirements such as mining history track, sales volume, and possible market cap. The certification process should apply to everyone in the industry. %% On our part, we fully endorse common efforts to enhance the Kimberly Process efficiency. Soon ALROSA company is going public and a stable sales system designed for long-term relations with customers are the key steps that the Russian diamond industry is able to offer as its contribution to the establishment of the future global diamond market.
Challenges as well as Opportunities :
In his concluding remarks, Eli Izhakoff stated, “The future provides us not only with challenges, but also with many exciting opportunities. The opportunity to build on our success, the opportunity to demonstrate greater unity, commitment and purpose. The opportunity to reflect the values of the unique and beautiful product from which we – and million of others – derive their living. %% Besides the formal speeches, the two day meeting received various reports from Ernest Blom- WFDB President on Industry Implementation; Jeff Fischer - President IDMA on Manufacturing, NGO reports and Govt. Representatives’ reports. On both the days, the addresses of notables were followed by open discussions. Finally there was a Press Conference for detailed media briefing. A gala dinner concluded the busy schedule when former Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the global gathering.
A Worldwide Front :
Amid growing concern over human rights violations and atrocities committed against innocent victims in diamond producing countries of war-torn central and western Africa, the WFDB and the IDMA passed a resolution at their Antwerp meeting in July 2000, creating the World Diamond Council. The ultimate mandate for the World Diamond Council is the development, implementation and oversee of a tracking system for the export and import of rough diamonds to prevent the exploitation of diamonds for illicit purposes. %% The World Diamond Council represents over 50 industry organizations – from mining companies, trade associations to manufacturers and retailers – worldwide. Member organizations also include India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council which represents the country’s entire precious sector.

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