Connect with us

International News

GJEPC Signs Historic Luanda Accord that Commits 1% of Rough Sales Revenue to Global NaturaL Diamond Marketing

Published

on

In a landmark move to boost the appeal of natural diamonds across the globe, top natural diamond mining, manufacturing and marketing players signed the Luanda Accord on Wednesday, in Luanda, the capital of Angola. Stakeholders jointly agreed to contribute the equivalent of 1% of annual revenues from rough diamond sales to a collective marketing initiative. Under pressure due to conflicts between countries, slowing economies and shifting consumer preferences towards lab-grown diamonds, the natural diamond trade is taking various measures to stabilize the market. After a significant drop in the global diamond business, industry leaders are joining hands to secure the industry’s interests.

The Luanda Accord signatories include:

H.E. Diamantino Azevedo

The Government of the Republic of Angola

Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo

The Government of the Republic of Botswana

Honourable Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulune

Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Honourable Gaudentia Krohne

Government of the Republic of Namibia

Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman

Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council

Al Cook, Chief Executive Officer

De Beers Group

Honourable Gwede Mantashe

Government of the Republic of South Africa

Isidore Mörsel, President

Antwerp World Diamond Centre

Maryam Al Hashemi

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

This is a significant development for Surat and India. Eight lakh people are employed in the diamond manufacturing industry in the city, while seven lakh more work in the gems and jewellery sector in other cities of the country. The agreement was signed by the governments of Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, South Africa, officials of India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and De Beers Group.

The 1% contribution will be channelled through the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), which will take the lead in designing and executing a global generic marketing strategy aimed at enhancing consumer awareness and demand for natural diamonds. “Implementation details, including the mechanisms for making these contributions, will be finalized after legal review. Each participating govt will work in coordination with industry representatives to establish suitable arrangements for contributions in their respective jurisdictions,” said an official present at the meeting. The agreement included that, to ensure transparency and alignment with contributor interests, the governance structure of the NDC will undergo a review. Annual assessments of both financial contributions and the impact of marketing campaigns will be conducted by NDC members. “The Luanda Accord marks a fundamental shift in the way our industry comes together to protect and promote the future of natural diamonds. As the world’s largest diamond manufacturing centre, India is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with African producer nations and global partners,” said Shaunak Parikh, vice-chairman, GJEPC. “A unified global marketing push is no longer optional — it’s essential. GJEPC remains deeply committed to this shared vision and is ready to contribute actively to the next chapter of sustainable growth for our industry,” Parikh added.” The signing of the Luanda Accord marks a historic moment of unity in our industry. After a year of collaboration with African diamond-producing nations and global partners like the GJEPC and DMCC, we’ve committed to collectively fund and promote natural diamonds. This is a powerful step toward a stronger, more sustainable future for our industry — and I’m proud of the leadership role the AWDC played in making it happen,” said Ravi Bhansali, vice-president, AWDC.

Continue Reading
Advertisement JewelBuzz Banner
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted

International News

Vicenzaoro September 2026 Closes With Stronger International Footprint

The Five-Day Trade Show Recorded A 4% Increase In Total Visitors Compared With The September 2025 Edition, While International Attendance Rose By 9%.

Published

on

Vicenzaoro September 2026 concluded on 8 September with further growth in visitor traffic and international participation, reinforcing its position as a key global meeting point for the jewellery, gemstones, precious metals and technology industries. Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the five-day trade show recorded a 4% increase in total visitors compared with the September 2025 edition, while international attendance rose by 9%.

The edition marked the first major presentation of the expanded Vicenza Expo Centre following the opening of the new Hall 2. The upgraded infrastructure, combined with the show’s Boutique Show format, brought the jewellery supply chain together under one roof—from manufacturing technologies and machinery at T.Gold to finished jewellery, gemstones, packaging and related services.

International attendance reaches new markets

Vicenzaoro attracted visitors from 136 foreign countries, a 4% increase compared with September 2025. Attendance from Europe grew by 9%, while non-European participation also rose by 9%, reaching 91 countries. Visitors from the United States increased by 2%.

The largest international visitor groups came from:

  • The United Kingdom.
  • Germany.
  • China.
  • India.
  • Romania.
  • Switzerland.
  • Spain.
  • Denmark.
  • Colombia.
  • Belgium.

The strongest growth in visitor numbers was recorded from South Korea, Singapore, Kuwait, South Africa, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Indonesia, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.

India’s presence among the top five international visitor markets underlines the importance of the country to Vicenzaoro’s global strategy and reflects the continued strength of business links between Italian manufacturers and the Indian jewellery trade.

“This growth confirms the work carried out during the transitional editions when construction of the new Hall 2 was underway,” said Matteo Farsura, head of IEG’s Jewellery & Fashion division. He noted that international attendance has risen steadily since September 2024 and, boosted by T.Gold, is now 12% higher despite an increasingly complex global environment.

MAECI and ICE programme delivers 910 buyers

The show’s international business programme, organised in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Trade Agency, brought 700 hosted international buyers to Vicenza. A further 210 Italian buyers participated, taking the total number of hosted trade visitors to a record 910.

The buyers represented 73 countries and were reported to be 33% higher in number than at the September 2025 edition.

Farsura said the programme was designed not only to increase visitor numbers but also to identify buyers according to the profiles of exhibiting companies and the markets they serve. The network of approximately 70 Italian Trade Agency offices worldwide played a significant role in supporting the initiative.

New Hall 2 reshapes the exhibition

The opening of Hall 2 represented a significant milestone in IEG’s development of the Vicenza Expo Centre. The two-storey facility covers approximately 23,000 square metres and connects Halls 1, 3, 4 and 6, improving movement across the exhibition complex and creating a more integrated environment for exhibitors and visitors.

The expanded layout hosted 1,300 exhibiting brands from 40 countries, with international exhibitors accounting for 45% of the total. T.Gold, the specialised exhibition dedicated to jewellery manufacturing technologies and machinery, was brought inside the Expo Centre for the first time, strengthening the show’s ability to present the complete value chain in a single location.

In a period marked by uncertain demand, margin pressure and changing consumer expectations, the format enabled Vicenzaoro to combine commercial activity with a focus on innovation, production efficiency and future market trends.

CIBJO centenary adds global relevance

A major feature of the September edition was the centenary congress of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation. Led by President Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO brings together the international jewellery industry around standards, nomenclature, responsible business practices and consumer confidence.

Held in Vicenza to mark the organisation’s 100th anniversary, the congress attracted more than 600 delegates, including representatives of luxury groups, mining companies, retailers, laboratories and other parts of the global supply chain.

The congress addressed several of the industry’s most pressing issues, including sustainability, market transparency, the classification of natural and laboratory-grown diamonds and coloured stones, and the need to strengthen consumer trust. Its presence further positioned Vicenzaoro as a forum where businesses, associations and institutions can discuss the structural changes shaping the jewellery sector.

Networking remains central to the show

Beyond its exhibition and sourcing functions, Vicenzaoro continued to emphasise the value of professional relationships. The event provided a platform for companies, buyers, institutions, associations and international industry leaders to exchange views and develop new commercial connections.

This networking-led approach has become one of the show’s defining characteristics, allowing business discussions to extend beyond individual transactions to wider conversations on market development, technology, distribution and consumer behaviour.

The September edition also featured the ninth edition of VO Vintage, which brought together 53 selected exhibitors specialising in vintage and modern jewellery and watches. The event, open to the general public, combined sales with an educational programme featuring expert speakers and initiatives aimed at strengthening interest in watchmaking culture.

Broad industry support

Vicenzaoro’s strategic partners include MAECI and the Italian Trade Agency. Its international partners are CIBJO, GJEPC India, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association and Francéclat.

National partners include Confindustria Federorafi, Confcommercio Federpreziosi, Confartigianato Orafi, CNA Orafi, Club degli Orafi Italia, Confimi Industria’s Gold and Silver Category, Assogemme, Assocoral and AFEMO. The regions of Sicily and Campania also participated as institutional representatives.

IEG’s jewellery calendar will continue with JGTD—Jewellery, Gems and Technology in Dubai—from 27 to 29 October 2026. Italy’s jewellery industry will meet next at the Valenza Gem Forum on 22 October and the Italian Jewellery Summit in Arezzo on 3 December.

The next edition of Vicenzaoro and T.Gold will take place from 15 to 19 January 2027, while VO Vintage is scheduled for 15 to 18 January 2027.

Continue Reading

Trending

JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

We would like to hear from you...

GET WHATSAPP NEWS ALERTS

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x