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WDC Meeting Kicks-off in Jerusalem
May 9, 2007 10:40 AM
By Avi Krawitz
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RAPAPORT... Diamond professionals from around the world gathered in Jerusalem May 9, 2007, for the start of the 5th annual World Diamond Council meeting taking place at the David Citadel Hotel.
In a letter to the meeting's participant, Jerusalem's mayor Uri Lupoliansky welcomed attendees to the city.
"This industry is one of Israel's most successful sectors, and has contributed greatly to the economic development of this country," Lupoliansky said. "Israel is a leading center on the map of the world diamond industry, and of this we are very proud."
Following the afternoon committee meetings, the council is scheduled to be addressed by Israel's Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres at an evening cocktail reception May 9.
The meeting will open day No.2 at 9 a.m. on May 10 with remarks from Eli Ishai, Israel's Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor.
WDC chairman Eli Izhakoff will then present the chairman's report followed by the financial report presented by Steve Merdinger and the WDC Educational Campaign by Nancy Orem Lyman and Carson Glover.
Gareth Penny, managing director of De Beers, will give the keynote address, followed by presentations by Sergey Vibornov, president of ALROSA, and Lev Leviev, chairman of the Leviev Group of Companies.
Further reports will be given by Cecilia Gardiner, general council for WDC; Matt Runci, president and CEO of Jewelers of America and chairman of CRJP; and Mark Van Bockstael, chairman of the Technical Committee at WDC.
The afternoon session kicks of with the industry implementation reports made by Ernie Blom, president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Jeffery Fischer, president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association; and Gaetano Cavalieri, president of the World Jewelry Confederation.
Alex Yearsley, of Global Witness, will provide an overview of recent NGO reports, and Christian Berger, of the European Union; Stephane Chardon, chairman of the Kimberley Process monitoring committee at the EU; and Sue Saarnio, of the United States Department of State, will present their respective governmental reports.
The conference ends with a gala dinner and an address by Benjamin Netanyahu, former Prime Minister of Israel and head of the Likud party.
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Tags:
Alrosa, De Beers, European Union, Gareth Penny, Israel, Jewelers of America, Jewelry, Kimberley Process, Leviev, NGO, United States, World Diamond Council
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