The WFDB Presidents’ Meeting 2025 in New York, in cooperation with the Diamond Dealers Club of New York, concluded last night after 2.5 days of speeches, panels, site visits, a gala dinner and networking among the leadership of the international diamond community. “We are not just preserving the diamond industry, we are building its future.”
With these powerful words, WFDB President Yoram Dvash opened this year’s plenary, addressing the global leaders of the natural diamond trade. He said that now is the time to lead with ethics, clarity, and unity to protect the value and legacy of the natural diamond and to ensure that the industry’s voice is heard globally.
Botswana President Duma Boko in a keynote address spoke powerfully about the central role of diamonds in Botswana’s economic development and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ethical practices and transparency in the natural diamond industry.
Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, H.E. Diamantino Azevedo, announced that Angola will officially join the WFDB through the newly established Angola Diamond Exchange—marking a significant milestone in the country’s integration into the global diamond trading community.
Speaking at the Gala Dinner, H.E. Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana, spoke about the transformative power of the diamond industry—how its ripple effects change lives. She called on the industry to continue stimulating demand by leaning into what makes natural diamonds aspirational, emotional, and the epitome of luxury.
De Beers CEO Al Cook spoke about the importance of innovation and technology. He highlighted traceability technologies and called for greater global alignment on tariffs—emphasizing that natural diamonds should be exempt in markets like the U.S., where they are not mined.
The meeting included lively panels about timely topics challenging the industry: tariffs and import restrictions, natural diamonds and lab growns, traceability and marketing. The panels included industry leaders such as Feriel Zerouki, SaraYood, Gaetano Cavalieri, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Matt Swibel, Paul Rowley, Tom Moses, Ronnie Vanderlinden, Olivia Landau, Johanna Levy, Angelo Palmieri, Tim Goodman, David Kellie, Anoop Mehta, Lisa Bridge and Sally Morrison.
During the meeting Botswana, Angola and Qatar (who sent important representatives to the meeting) all expressed their desire to join the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.
WFDB President Yoram Dvash presented President Boko with the Guardian of the Diamond Industry Award. The Ministers and Al Cook were presented with Honorary Lifetime Membership in the WFDB. Longtime WFDB activists Eli Izhakoff, Meir Wertheim, Rami Baron and meeting host Eliot Krischer also received awards.
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