Top diamond industry leaders to join Dubai conference

International leaders of the diamond industry ranging from African ministers to traders, financiers and world-renowned jewellers will take part in the Dubai Diamond Conference, to be held next month. The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), a Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) platform, today announced the keynote speakers and subjects to be discussed at the third edition of its biennial two-day Dubai Diamond Conference 2017 (DDC 2017) under the theme ‘Destination Next – Shaping the future of an interconnected marketplace’. The conference takes place in Dubai's Almas Tower, which houses the Dubai Diamond Exchange, on October 16 and 17. The Dubai Diamond Conference, which has gained a reputation for identifying the main issues impacting the global industry, will again provide a rich agenda of subjects critical to the future of the diamond business worldwide, a statement said. DMCC’s executive chairman, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, is to open the conference and will welcome top-level speakers and panellists from every sector of the diamond pipeline and from across the world who will provide their input on the enormous changes that have taken place in recent years – and speak about where the industry is heading. Some of the key issues that will be discussed at the conference include: * With the rough diamond trade continuing to see deep-seated changes and long-time stakeholders taking different roles as new players join the business, what does the future hold for the rough sector?

* In finance, banks are continually changing their policies and liquidity has become a scarce resource for many, so panellists will discuss what this means for diamantaires. The issue of sustainability has attained growing importance and is seen as vital in creating a viable future for the human race, but how widespread is it and is the diamond industry on track to meet global goals?

* In the retail sector, the relative strength of diamond jewellery consuming markets is changing – what does that mean for sales in the future? Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, chairman, Global Compact Foundation, will also speak on the opening day of the conference about United Nations Global Compact which encourages businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies and to report on their implementation backed up by his extensive experience in the business world over several decades. A major panel discussion to be moderated by Iris Van der Veken, director – public affairs & policy international, DMCC, on Day 1 will further drive the importance of the sustainability agenda with Sir Mark Moody-Stuart; World Federation of Diamond Bourses President Ernie Blom; Responsible Jewellery Council Executive Director Andrew Bone; De Beers Group Head of Government and Industry Relations Feriel Zerouki; CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation President, President Dr Gaetano Cavalieri; Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council Chairman Praveenshankar Pandya; and Signet Jewelers Ltd. Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, David Bouffard. “We recognise the importance of bringing the sustainability agenda to our conference and to bring insights from other industries in the field of corporate sustainability. The Dubai Diamond Conference is a great opportunity to reconnect all stakeholders to discuss a common sense of purpose so we together can build a better future of trade for all, ultimately a roadmap of continuous improvement," said Iris Van der Veken. Panel discussions on Day 2 will focus on the following topics: ‘Lab-grown diamonds and their disclosure: Is there a problem?’, ‘Bankability, transparency, innovation’, ‘KP Reform: A reality or a never ending story?’, ‘The impact of value added tax (VAT) or GST on wholesale diamond trading’, and ‘Tender or auctions: temporary phenomenon or new business of the future?