World Diamond Council (WDC) President Feriel Zerouki has emphasised the heightened importance of responsibility, sustainability and provenance in the jewellery industry, specifically because its products are used to celebrate important life moments. She was speaking during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Congress of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), which took place from 3rd to 5th October in Jaipur, India.
“This is why industry bodies such as CIBJO, with its focus on consumer confidence, responsible sourcing and sustainability initiatives, are so important,” she said. “And it is why events such as the one we are all gathered here for today are so vital to our futures.”
Later that same day, during a panel discussion devoted to the promotion of responsible environmental, social and governance practices in the jewellery supply chain, Zerouki, spoke of the need to foster fairness among industry players in order to achieve ESG goals.
“To be ethical we need to be equitable,” the WDC President said. She emphasised her point by providing an example of two people, one short and one tall, who pay the same price for a concert ticket, even though the taller one is likely to see the performance completely, while the other’s view would most probably be impeded. “True equality exists only if opportunity is equitable,” she said.
During the opening session of 2023 CIBJO Congress, leaders of key jewellery and gemstone associations voiced their support for the G7 Diamond Protocol, the industry proposal facilitated by the WDC to meet new requirements by the governments of G7 countries to restrict the import and trade of rough and polished diamonds originally mined in Russia.
CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri, Yoram Dvash, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), and Vipul Shah, Chairman of India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), all voiced their support for the G7 Diamond Protocol, for which they had been consulted during its formulation. They joined the heads of other associations, like the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), who also have backed the industry proposal.
The proposed plan, which has been presented to the G7 governments, builds on recognized effective blockchain backed solutions and third-party auditing schemes, and proposes new accessible solutions designed not to hinder compliant smaller and micro-enterprises from accessing the G7 markets. These include artisanal and small-scale miners, as well as members of the cottage industry and trade. The G7 markets together account for more than 60% of annual global diamond jewellery sales by value.
The G7 Diamond Protocol follows the theme of equality and equity and aims to put forward a comprehensive approach that would not favour one commercial centre over another. Most importantly it is an effective solution that would do what the G7 government are seeking to achieve – prohibit Russian diamonds from entering their markets. The solution facilitated by the WDC is designed to be fair and accessible to all.
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