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The Kimberley Process has issued an Administrative Decision on the Central African Republic. The decision temporarily forbids the import and export of all rough diamonds from the Central African Republic. The suspension will be discussed more extensively at the Kimberley Process Intersessional,which will take place from June 4th to June 7th in South Africa.
Considering the recent security issues in the African nation, the KP has decided that the Central African Republic is currently unable to fulfil the minimum requirements of KP Participants. In addition, the current situation on the ground makes additional verification measures unfeasible. The KP has thus decided to halt all rough diamond shipments to and from the CAR for the time being. The situation in the country and the continued suspension will be discussed in detail at the KP Intersessional.
The Administrative Decision in full can be consulted here.
On June 13th, the Iridium Cancer Network in cooperation with the Bank van Breda, Auction house Bernaert, the Translational Cancer Research Unit (TCRU) and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre are holding an art auction. Five contemporary artists will auction a total of 30 exquisite pieces for the benefit of the TCRU of the Saint-Augustine Hospital in Antwerp. This research unit hopes to build upon its expertise in research in the field of aggressive cancers and their treatment.
The proceeds of the art auction go directly to the TCRU. The artists Nicolas Karakatsanis, Karl Meersman, Panamarenko, Stephan Vanfleteren and Tinus Vermeersch auction a total of 30 pieces for the benefit of the TCRU. The generated funds will allow the research unit to continue its life-saving work on cancer.
Interested parties can take a look at the pieces from Thursday 6th till Sunday 9th of June, between 10 AM and 6 PM. The art pieces will be on display in the Auction house Bernaerts, located at the Verlatstraat 16 in Antwerp.
The official auction itself will take place on Thursday June 13th, 8.30 PM at the auction house. Both the viewing of the pieces and the auction itself are open to all and do not require prior subscription.
More information on the TCRU can be found here.
Furthermore, you can find more information about the auction here.
In January, AWDC launched its brand new promotional movie. Starting today, this movie is available in no less than eight different languages: English, Dutch, French, Chinese, Spanish, German, Russian and Turkish. In addition, we are working on a Hebrew version, which will be online soon. You can download the movies here, via our website. It is free to use to put it on your website, show it to your clients …
Antwerp & Diamonds, a brilliant story!
Issued by the Federal Public Service Economy, EU KP Authority, Belgium
On Saturday May 11th 2013, the Seventh “Embassy Open House Day” took place. The European Union organised this day in order to familiarize the American public with the different nations that make up the European Union. Curious visitors were able to learn more about Belgium, but also the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and the unique role of the Belgian Diamond sector.
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre was also represented on the Open Embassy Day. At a dedicated info booth, interested visitors could learn more about the AWDC and the unique role of the Belgian diamond sector.
Despite the poor weather, the event proved to be a succes, with more than 4000 visitors paying a visit to the Belgian Embassy.
UBM Asia, supported by AWDC, announced the launch of a mobile application for its Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fairs in June and September. The Mobile Buyer Guide is app that features regularly updated exhibitors and product directories, interactive floorplans, show schedules and other useful information for visitors, available for smartphone, tablet and pc.
“The Mobile Buyer Guide is a great tool to manage your sourcing trip. We got thousands of exhibitors at each show, so we need to support navigation onsite. But what’s really special is that you download the Mobile Buyer Guide only once and we keep providing updates regularly. Think of it as jewellery supplier directory that easily fits your pocket and that doesn’t outdate. During show periods it features supplier’s booth numbers. And between shows it is a very handy reference with thousands of contacts. A message function will let you know the latest news and show information”, explains Jerome Hainz, Manager eBusiness UBM Asia.
From June 20 to 23, at the June Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, Antwerp will be represented by no less than 90 individual exhibitors in the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion in hall 3FG. Nele Bouchier, Senior Manager PR & Communications at AWDC: “For many years already, the Antwerp Diamond Pavilions constitute the largest group pavilions at the Hong Kong Fairs, confirming Antwerp’s undisputed leadership in high quality, loose diamonds. Therefore, partnering with UBM to set up the Mobile Buyer Guide was a logical step. The Mobile Buyer Guide is an excellent tool to guide buyers more efficiently around the fair, and of course, to the largest and most exclusive selection of high quality diamonds at the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion.”
You can download the app here !
On May 21st, the European Commission (EC) released a Roadmap on the responsible sourcing of conflict minerals. The EC is looking into the launch of a legal initiative regarding mineral sourcing from conflict-affected regions, for example the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighboring countries. This Roadmap provides more information on the philosophy behind the initiative and the future steps the EC is planning to take.
The EU Public Consultation on Conflict Minerals, launched on March 23rd, constitutes an import part of the roadmap. T
Although neither the Public Consultation nor the Roadmap are targeted at diamonds, they concern matters that are relevant to the diamond sector. Therefore, AWDC will continue to proactively follow-up on this topic.
More information on the Roadmap and the Public Consultation can obtained at the Public Affairs department (public.affairs@awdc.eu).
On Sunday October 6th 2013, the 23rd ‘Open bedrijvendag’ will take place. Following last year’s success, the Antwerp diamond community will again open its doors to the general public. To find out more, we kindly invite you to our info session on Monday May 27th at 12 noon.
Every first Sunday of October, a wide variety of companies and industries in Flanders open up their doors to the general public during the Open Bedrijvendag / Open Company Day. This initiative is the perfect opportunity to introduce people to a world they would otherwise never get to see.
That is why, in 2012, AWDC decided to join this initiative, an unique occasion to open the doors of the wondrous world of sparkling diamonds, one of the most renowned, captivating but at the same time very closed industries in Belgium: the diamond industry. In collaboration with the Diamond Museum, the Antwerp Diamond Bourses and participating diamond and jewelry companies such as HRD Antwerp, over 2,000 visitors took a guided tour behind the scenes. In total, more than 4,000 people visited the Antwerp Diamond Square mile, where information billboards, food corners and musical entertainment granted the audience a glimpse behind the fascinating and multicultural world of the Antwerp diamond community.
As a member of the diamond industry, you can contribute to this brilliant initiative.
During the info session on Monday, May 27th, we will give you a short explanation about the different formulas for potential participants. We will provide a small lunch. Participation is without further obligation.
If you want to attend this info session, please confirm your precense by mailing your name and company name to pietervanbocxlaer@awdc.eu
Relive last year’s edition here.
