CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, opened its 2007 congress in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday. In his opening address, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri outlined the theme of the 2007 congress, which concerns the role of the jewelry industry as a responsible and sustainable force.

 

“In many regions of Africa, the greater jewelry industry is not viewed primarily as an enterprise that produces luxury items, but it is considered a business that provides employment and support to many millions of people. It also should offer those people the promise of a better future,” Cavalieri said.

 

“Let the word go out from Cape Town that, while jewelry may be described as a luxury product, the industry that produces it is an essential item – certainly when it comes to economic development. When consumers buy jewelry, they should know that not only is it an expression of value, beauty and emotion, but they have contributed to making a better life for people who need it most dearly,” said Cavalieri.

 

The highest-level speaker of the day, the South African Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, called on the congress to take an active role in the creation of sustainable development programs in African countries that supply the bulk of the industry’s raw materials.

 

In addition to the deputy president, a number of high-level officials, from South Africa and abroad, attended the opening day sessions. They included the Chief of Protocol at the United Nations, Alice Hecht; South Africa’s Minister of Minerals & Energy, Buyelwa Sonjica; Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Erkki Nghimtina; the Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of International Trade of Italy, Mauro Agostini; and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe.

 

In her speech, the deputy president, who previously served as South Africa’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, and who was one of the primary instigators of the Kimberley Process, said that South Africa does not want to operate solely as a producer of raw materials for the industry. “Although mineral resources have contributed significantly to the country’s overall economy, (…) we have not enjoyed the full benefits of our mineral economy and on sustainable economic growth and development in South Africa,” she stated.

 

“This is largely due to the insufficient value addition of mineral resources as a result of an underdeveloped minerals processing industry. For this reason, the government has put in place measures to increase our capacity to produce processed mineral products and value added minerals with the added benefits that comes with it. A policy that accepts that the world of mineral beneficiation – be it for jewelry and all other purpose – the competition is tough and we have to make choices and create an enabling environment. We also have to see opportunities and seize them.”

 

Abbey Chikane, chairman of the Jewellery Council of South Africa, emphasized the importance of holding the event in Sough Africa. “We would like to measure the value of our relationship with CIBJO by the amount of business collaboration between our jewelers and CIBJO members who are also jewelers.”

 

In his keynote address, De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer spoke of the responsibility that the jewelry industry has for the people of Africa. “It takes one incident to tarnish the name of the whole industry in the court of public opinion,” he said. “All the good things we do – the enormous contribution of gold, diamonds and jewelry industry makes – could be as nothing in a single moment. Furthermore, it is not just us in the hall today who would suffer, but more importantly the millions of people who depend upon our industry for their livelihoods, to feed and clothe their children.”

 

Minister Sonjika called on CIBJO to participate in the development of training programs for young people in the jewelry industry. “There is an opportunity for us to work together on the enhancement of appropriate skills in this sector,” she said.

 

The issue of beneficiation was central to the theme of sustainable development. At the conclusion of her address, Deputy Minister Thabethe, called on this congress to help improve initiatives to help grow Africa’s jewelry industry. She also said that she hoped the gathering of so many representatives would be hailed by future generations as a milestone in the promotion of the jewelry industry in Africa.

 

World Diamond Council (WDC) Chairman, and CIBJO Honorary President, Eli Izhakoff, also emphasized the industry’s responsibility to society. “We are privileged to work with a unique, rare and beautiful product,” he said. “It aspires to reflect the very highest values of humankind. We must all continue to work in partnership to ensure that, in the future, jewelry products are no longer associated with helping to finance conflict, but that everyone who depends on them for their livelihood is able to share the same dream.”

 

Izhakoff was awarded special recognition for his services to the industry by the Council of Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP). He was recognized as a “Friend of the Council,” by CRJP Chairman Matthew A. Runci. “I am delighted that Eli Izhakoff has honored the CRJP by accepting this award,” said Runci. “Eli Izhakoff has provided dynamic leadership over many years to the diamond industry’s efforts to ensure responsible practices from mine to retail.”

 

“Eli, in his role as the chairman of the World Diamond Council and in many other senior positions in the diamond industry, is an inspirational leader,” Runci continued. “Eli tirelessly promotes the good that the diamond jewelry industry does throughout the world, and, equally tirelessly, drives the industry to strive to do better.”

 

Another award followed when CIBJO honored Rory More O’Ferrall, the retiring De Beers director of external relations. More O’Ferrall was the official host later that evening at a gala dinner, hosted by the Diamond Trading Company in honor of the CIBJO Congress.

 

One of the highlights of the dinner was a fashion show presenting the winners of the recent DTC jewelry competition, the Shining Light Awards. 

 

The congress runs until Thursday, March 15, and will include separate meetings of the various participant sectors in the jewelry industry, including diamonds, colored gemstones, pearls and precious metals. The host of the congress is the Jewellery Council of South Africa, and the leading sponsors are the South African Department of Trade and Industry, the De Beers Group and the South African Diamond Board.