Moscow: ALROSA vice president Andrey Polyakov was elected World Diamond Council (WDC) vice president at the council’s annual general meeting held in Moscow.

According to the council’s bylaws, the vice president subsequently assumes the role of president – in this case Polyakov will take over the role in 2016.

Also at the annual general meeting, delegates met to discuss a strategic plan for the next two years, including cooperation with the Kimberley Process and issues regarding the exclusion of conflict diamonds from international trade. The council also addressed issues related to regulatory and voluntary systems to control the trade in diamonds, in addition to enhancing transparency, responsible business practices and strengthening the reputation of the world diamond market.

ALROSA president Andrey Zharkov said, “The World Diamond Council has significantly contributed to the development of the international diamond trade and promotion of market transparency. Today, the WDC forms the attitude of the whole industry within the cooperation with Kimberley Process. That gives all the participants a unique opportunity to jointly discuss the ways of further development and to find new forms of cooperation, to form, to protect and to support the impeccable reputation of the industry and its product.”