Iris Van der Veken awarded Officer of the Order of Leopold II

Iris Van der Veken has been awarded Officer of the Order of Leopold II. His Excellency Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs presented this award at the Egmont Palace, on the 23rd of April. She was recognised for her role initiating the Global Compact Network Belgium and for her work on promoting corporate social responsibility in Belgium and abroad with a focus on human rights including children’s rights and the role of business.

Amit Bhansali, Managing Director of Rosy Blue NV, says: “All of us at Rosy Blue are proud of Iris being recognised for her work in corporate social responsibility on behalf of Rosy Blue. Rosy Blue has been at the forefront of promoting and practising responsible business practices within the diamond and diamond jewellery industry here in Belgium and around the world. In addition to being a founding and certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, we are a founding member of the Belgian chapter of the United Nations Global Compact where we have demonstrated our commitment to promoting CSR beyond our industry. As a result of Iris’s dedication and devotion, Rosy Blue enjoys the distinction of being the first diamond trading and manufacturing company to publish an Annual Report to Society. We are proud of our achievements and will strive for continuous improvement in the future.”

The Order of Leopold II is an order of Belgium and is named in honour of King Léopold II. The decoration was established on 24 August 1900 by Leopold II as the Sovereign of the Congo Free State and was in 1908, upon Congo being handed over to Belgium, incorporated into the Belgian awards system. The order is awarded for meritorious service to the Sovereign of Belgium, and as a token of his personal goodwill. It can be awarded to both Belgians and foreigners. The Order of Leopold II is awarded by Royal Decree.