PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
SourcingDec 18, 2014
Belgium aiding Ivory Coast’s return
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) recently completed a training program for three senior officials from the government of the Ivory Coast, which saw the decade-long ban on its diamond trade lifted earlier this year.
Antwerp--The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) recently completed a
training program for three senior officials from the government of the
Ivory Coast, which was cleared to reenter the diamond trade earlier this
year.
Belgium’s Federal Public Services (FPS) Foreign Affairs
funded the eight-week program, with the hopes of expediting the Ivory
Coast’s reentry into the trade.
The United Nations banned the
Ivory Coast from trading in diamonds in 2003 following the country’s
civil war. It was the only country in the world with a UN-imposed ban on
trading diamonds, and it remained in place until this past spring.
The UN Security Council opted to lift the decade-long ban in April after the members of the Kimberley Process agreed at their plenary meeting in November 2013 that the Ivory Coast was KP compliant.
The AWDC said it hopes that the training will ensure the country’s strict adherence to the conditions of the KP.
“The
sanctions were put in place because the risk of conflict diamonds
entering the regular circuit would have been too great otherwise,” said
AWDC spokeswoman Margaux Donckier. “As Belgium has been one of the
driving forces behind the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme since
the very beginning, Ivory Coast has appealed to us to help them set up a
supervisory body.”
According to the AWDC, Ivory Coast has the
potential to produce up to 200,000 carats of rough diamonds annually in
the years ahead, representing a value of $25 million.
Ivory
Coast plans to launch a diamond trade control panel on Jan. 1, and the
U.N. will publish an assessment report every six months. In addition,
the KP’s own control panel will visit Ivory Coast to monitor conditions,
and to formulate recommendations if necessary.
The AWDC is the coordinating body and the official representative of the Antwerp diamond community.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
