I take on the presidency of the World Diamond Council at a time when this industry is under real pressure, and at a moment when our work at the World Diamond Council matters more than ever.
Before looking forward, however, it is important to recognise what has been built by those who came before me.
Feriel Zerouki led this organisation through a tough time where the industry was forced to face difficult questions. She put the reform of the Kimberley Process firmly on the agenda, moved the conversation on the conflict diamond definition to a place where it could no longer be avoided, and strengthened the focus on transparency, traceability and disclosure. She also made sure that the voices of producing countries were heard clearly and consistently. That work matters, and it gives us a strong foundation we can build on.
My role is clear. The World Diamond Council must be a champion for the natural diamond trade.
Everything we do comes back to a simple test. Does our work help build confidence in natural diamonds and help the trade sell them? If not, it is not a priority.
We are operating in a more complex and competitive market than we have seen in recent years. Demand for natural diamonds is under pressure. Too many different messages are reaching the market. At the same time, new competition has changed how natural diamonds are positioned and understood. This is the reality we have to deal with.
The response to that reality is alignment.
First, we need to speak with one voice for natural diamonds. A clear and consistent message is essential if we are going to cut through the noise. That means aligning behind a simple way of explaining what natural diamonds are and why they matter.
Second, we need to show what we mean, not simply say it. The case for natural diamonds is strong, but it has to be demonstrated. Where natural diamonds come from, how they move through the pipeline, and what they do in the countries and communities where they are produced is the evidence we need to show. Jobs, infrastructure and economic development are not abstract ideas. They are the reality of this industry, and they are central to maintaining confidence in our trade.
Third, we need to clear a path for the trade. The role of the WDC is to remove the obstacles that make life harder for the natural diamond trade. That means identifying the real challenges faced by our members, cutting through noise, and making sure that what we do has a direct impact.
The Kimberley Process is central to that effort and its purpose is clear. The KP exists to support confidence in natural diamonds. Keeping it focused on that purpose is critical to its relevance. We also need to continue the work on the conflict diamond definition, and to do so in a way that strengthens credibility while supporting the trade.
This presidency will be judged in a very simple way. Not by what we say in meetings, but by what happens in the trade.
When someone is sitting with a customer and explaining a natural diamond,
they should be able to do it with clarity and confidence. That is the standard. Because that is where this is won or lost.
If we are not helping sell natural diamonds in a meaningful way, we are not doing our job.
