After the successful diamond conference, organised together with the Financial Times in 1998 and the WFDB and IDMA Congress in 2000, Antwerp will in the fall of 2002 again be the center of attention. The “International Diamond Policies & Strategies” will be subject of discussion on October 7 and 8. The guests of honour are H.E. Festus Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr. Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States and De Beers' Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer and Alrosa President Vladimir Kalitine.

The Antwerp Diamond Conference will present all facets of the diamond pipeline from mines to markets and will be divided into two sessions. Whereas the first day will focus on upstream issues along the diamond pipeline such as exploration, mining and financing, the second day will cover downstream issues including distribution, manufacturing, vertical integration and the retailers' perspective.

President Festus Mogae of Botswana, representing the largest diamond producing country in the world, will open the conference on Monday.

The major mining companies De Beers, Alrosa, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto will present their perspectives on the industry. De Beers' Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer and Alrosa President Vladimir Kalitine are scheduled to address the conference. For the recently appointed Alrosa president, it will be the first public presentation at an international conference.

These speakers will be joined by a prominent group of heads of companies and organisations from the diamond trading centers, representatives of jewellery retail companies and banks serving the diamond industry, as well as personalities from the world of politics and industry analysts.

A Gala Fundraising Dinner will highlight the Conference on Monday evening, where the guest of honour is Mr. Al Gore, former vice president of the United States, who will deliver the keynote address. The Diamond Relief Fund that is to be created during the conference will support social, medical and educational programmes in diamond producing countries.

The conference takes place in the Province House of Antwerp. A detailed programme will follow in the weeks to come. Pre-registration at [email protected] .

Source: HRD press release
August 2002