Antwerp: The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the umbrella organization of the Antwerp diamond industry, yesterday launched its second sustainability report. It is an integrated report that does not shy away from thorny issues such as ‘reputation’, ‘integrity in the diamond value chain’ and ‘compliance in the diamond industry’. Furthermore, with this report, the AWDC fully adhered to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report was launched in the presence of aldermen Ludo Van Campenhout and Tom Meeuws.
The diamond trade is a highly international industry. Across its global value chain, more than 10 million people earn their livelihoods through this fascinating industry. As the most important diamond trade center globally, we are required to pay attention to the environment and the human beings who live in it.
“Promoting the integrity of the value chain and the transparency of the industry are the AWDC’s most important strategic priorities,” says Ari Epstein, CEO AWDC. “Transparency is not just a buzzword for the AWDC, as our report makes abundantly clear.”
During our consultations with stakeholders, which helped determine the themes of this report, it quickly became clear that the industry’s troublesome reputation would serve as the guiding thread throughout the report.
“We are acutely aware that the image of a product can make or break it, and that is no different for the diamond industry. Diamonds typically have a significant emotional value. A piece of diamond jewelry accompanied by a positive story for the consumer makes it that much more valuable.”
The most important themes in the report are ‘Integrity in the diamond value chain’, ‘compliance in the diamond industry’, ‘innovation and the future of Antwerp’ and ‘the economic impact in diamond-producing countries’.
The AWDC opted to deliver an integrated report in which the challenges facing the industry are linked to our annual figures and financial information. In this way, the AWDC’s sustainability agenda can be more firmly anchored in our everyday operations. Furthermore, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) served as a guideline in writing this report. As a result of this recognized international framework, alongside their business activities companies for the first time have a clear mandate to pay attention to the social and economic development of human beings and their environment.
“I am very proud of this report,” says Epstein. “Sustainability must be a guiding thread across the functioning, the policies and activities of a company. By focusing on this, the AWDC wants to play a leading role and inspire Antwerp diamond companies to make sustainability objectives a priority.”
The report was produced in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines.
