The Organizing Committee of the 41st World Diamond Congress, to be held July 12-15, 2026, in Singapore, is delighted that Botswana and Angola have joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) as Nation Affiliated Members, thus “broadening the Federation’s international representation and deepening engagement between producing countries and the global trading community.”
The announcement came following a summit held in Botswana, from 18-19 May, in collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy. The summit focused “on the long-term positioning of natural diamonds, including provenance, beneficiation, transparency, sustainability, and value creation across producing nations and trading centres. The gathering sought to reinforce consumer confidence and strengthen the value proposition of natural diamonds within an increasingly competitive luxury landscape.”
“We congratulate Angola, Botswana, and the WFDB on this milestone! The summit synced seamlessly with the topic of one of the congress panels, called “African Leadership in the Diamond Pipeline: Building Strong Societies Through Diamonds.” We therefore look forward to the participation of representatives of Angola and Botswana in the Congress and in these panels!” DES President and Congress Organising Committee Chair Fabio Cascapera said.
African Leadership in the Diamond Pipeline: Building Strong Societies Through Diamonds
This panel explores Africa’s growing leadership across the diamond value chain, moving beyond its role as a source of natural diamonds. It highlights how governments, industry leaders, and local stakeholders are advancing transparency, sustainability, and local value creation. The discussion will also examine how diamonds can drive socio-economic development—supporting jobs, infrastructure, and communities—while addressing challenges such as fair revenue distribution and global market pressures. Overall, the session showcases how Africa is shaping a more responsible and inclusive diamond industry.
The World Diamond Congress is the diamond industry’s foremost global gathering, held every three years biennially by the WFDB and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA). It brings together the global diamond and jewellery industry’s leadership to reflect on the significant challenges and many changes of recent years – and to shape what comes next.
The 2026 World Diamond Congress will be held in synergy with the Singapore International Jewelry Expo (SIJE). This strategic co-location creates a unique environment that blends high-level industry discourse with direct exposure to exceptional jewellery, gemstones, and timepieces – alongside collectors, buyers, and influencers from around the world.
