Antwerp: Members of the World Diamond Council (WDC) have assembled in Antwerp, October 28 to October 30, for the organization’s 2014 Annual General Meeting. Among the guests are Philippe Mellier, De Beers CEO, who will address a special all-day session on October 29, which will focus on issues associated with the Kimberley Process, 14 years after its establishment, and the associated role of the WDC in relation to the risks facing the KP.

The most significant innovation at this year’s WDC Annual Meeting is the special brainstorming session on October 29, where the members will take a broad view of the various ethical, legal and financial challenges facing the KP, including the risks related to rough diamond trading mentioned in a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report earlier this year. In this respect, the participants in the meeting will discuss what strategies may be employed by WDC specifically, and the industry in general. Prior to the meeting WDC members have been polled to gauge their opinions, and the results of the survey will be analyzed and discussed.

The Annual General Meeting is being hosted by the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC).