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RAPAPORT... Leaders of the four top international organizations that represent the global diamond and jewelry industries established a presidents forum to collaborate, discuss and formulate strategies and policies for the industry on important issues of common interest. The organizations agreed to this initiative during a meeting at the 36th World Diamond Congress underway in Antwerp. Hosted by Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, the president of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, the meeting included Ernest Blom, the president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB); Maxim Shkadov, the president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and Edward Asscher, the president of the World Diamond Council (WDC). The meeting was chaired by Eli Izhakoff who is an honorary life president of CIBJO, WFDB and WDC. In a collaborative statement, the presidents forum wrote: As the elected presidents of international organizations, each of which counts among its members the key national organizations and leading commercial bodies in their respective fields, we collectively represent the rank and file of the diamond, gemstone and jewelry industry worldwide. The objective of the presidents forum is to reflect the interests of all participants and stakeholders in the industry through discussion and coordination.
"Among our first order of business the presidents of CIBJO, WFDB and IDMA will engage with the precious stones multi-stakeholder working group to discuss the creation of acceptable due diligence guidelines to defend the integrity of the supply chain. The president of the WDC will be consulted," the statement read. Additional attendees included Ronnie VanderLinden, IDMA's secretary general, Jeffrey Fischer, IDMA's honorary past president and Julien Drybooms, WFDB's vice president.
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