KP Chair Ambassador to address Zimbabwe Diamond Conference 2012

Kimberley Process Chair Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic having accepted to be a keynote speaker at the Zimbabwe Diamond Conference 2012, stated she looked forward to the opportunity, In a letter to Zimbabwe Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, she wrote that "I look forward to an opportunity to present to the conference the vision which this Chairmanship has sought to pursue and to preview for participants the proposals which can be expected to be the focus of the KP Plenary's work 27-30 November in Washington DC.”

As Zimbabwe is a strong supporter of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, Hon. Dr. Obert Mpofu welcomed the presence of the KP Chair Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic stating, “It is time to close the ranks and to look at the bright future and prosperity diamonds will bring to the African continent.”

The Conference is slated in Victoria Falls on the 12th and 13th of November 2012. Speakers will also include: Mr. Eli Izhakoff (President of the World Diamond Council); Mr. Ernie Blom President-elect of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses); Mr. Ahmed Bin Sulayem Executive Chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority; Mr. Peter Meeus (Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange), Mr. Reuven Kaufman (President of the Diamond Dealers Club of New York); Mr. Stephane Fischler (President of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre); Mr. Vasant Mehta (Former Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council); Mr. Lin Qiang (President of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange). There would also be several Ministers of Mines attending, namely: Hon. Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, Minister of Mining of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Hon. Susan Shabangu, Minister of Mineral Resources of the Republic of South Africa; Hon. Isak Katali, Minister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia;