As 2022 Intersessional Meeting draws to close, WDC President notes positive shift to reforming the KP

Speaking on June 24, 2022, during the closing session of the 2022 Kimberley Process Intersessional in the town of Kasane, Botswana, WDC President Edward Asscher noted a positive shift in the readiness of members to reforming the KP.

WDC President calls on the KP to move forward or risk a two-tier market with dire consequences

Highlighting the proven ability of natural diamond resources to serve as a driver for the development of sustainable economies and societies, World Diamond Council President Edward Asscher warned that this potential is threatened if the Kimberley Process doesn’t evolve to address the challenges of today. He was speaking during the opening day of the KP Intersessional, which is taking place in the town of Kasane in Botswana.

WDC Board extends terms of elected officers through to 2023

Meeting in video-conference on June 16, 2022, the Board of Directors of the World Diamond Council (WDC) has decided that, in light of the unusual set of circumstances currently prevalent, including those precipitated by the COVID pandemic, the terms of President Edward Asscher, Vice President Feriel Zerouki and Treasurer Ronnie VanderLinden, which were scheduled to terminate this year, will continue into 2023.

WDC President interviewed by the Rapaport news service during the Dubai Diamond Conference

Vinod Kuriyan of the Rapaport news service, interviews Edward Asscher, President of the World Diamond Council, during the Dubai Diamond Conference on February 23, 2022.

WDC President optimistic at close of KP Plenary, citing Principles for Responsible Diamond Sourcing

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Now is the time to expand the conflict diamonds definition, WDC President tells delegates at start of 2021 KP Plenary

WDC release 08-11-2021

A call to action: WDC President urges industry to adopt the upgraded System of Warranties today

Since the start of the Kimberley Process, members of the diamond trade have been adding a declaration to their sales documents, each time a transaction is finalized along the entire supply chain, from mine to retail. It’s become a customary act in our industry, but a massively important one, for it verifies to the next participant in the supply chain that the diamonds involved are compliant with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), and thus can be considered “conflict free” according to KP doctrine.

WDC marks UN’s International Day of Peace with public launch of upgraded System of Warranties

The World Diamond Council (WDC) has marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment by the United Nations of the International Day of Peace with the official public launch of its upgraded System of Warranties (SoW).