CIBJO Conference on Development, Synthetics Commences in Dubai

Held for the first time in the Middle East, the annual Congress of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) commenced Monday in Dubai. This year’s event is centered on the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDG), an action plan aimed at sustainable humanitarian development.

This theme also covers issues specific to environmental sustainability and the protection of labor rights in the context of the jewelry industry. In recent weeks, organizers have noted that one of the main goals of the event is to discuss the challenges the jewelry industry is facing in terms of corporate and social responsibility in the diamond, gem and jewelry industry supply pipeline.

Industry standards, specifically the nomenclature of gem-quality synthetic diamonds, and a draft of the new CIBJO Blue Book for Precious Metals, will also be addressed.

Addressing the conference, DMCC Executive Chairman Ahmed bin Sulayem, said, “Dubai has established itself as a prominent international center for precious metals and jewelry trade. The Middle East is the world’s third largest consumer of diamond jewelry, and Dubai registers the highest per capita gold purchase; clearly, this region is a lucrative market for the jewelry industry.”

Other speakers included CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri; Hanifa Mezoui of the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs; UN Development Programme Director Cecile Molinier; Francois Loriot, VP of the International Association of UN MDG Trainers, and Dr Michael Hopkins, managing director of MCHi International and professor of Corporate Responsibility and Business Performance at Middlesex University in London.

The Congress, which has over 200 jewelry industry professionals in attendance, is being hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre. It runs through April 16.