AWDC holds talks with stakeholders on sustainability

AWDC held discussions with its stakeholders on July 2nd to see the way forward for sustainability in the diamond industry. The talks centered around the AWDC’s role, responsibility and policy with regard to sustainability. The meeting took place a year after the launch of AWDC’s first sustainability report, which last year won the “Award for Best Belgian Sustainability Report”.

Half of the group of 20 stakeholders consisted of people who are active in or familiar with the diamond industry, and the rest were sustainability experts or people who are specialized in sustainability reporting.

Under the supervision of Antwerp-ITCCO, the stakeholders were encouraged to share their opinion about the AWDC sustainability report, the body’s role and responsibility and initiatives that should be undertaken towards a sustainable diamond industry.

The stakeholders rendered a positive evaluation of AWDC’s sustainability report and expressed AWDC’s key role particularly by setting a good example and encouraging the industry to implement responsible and sustainable business practices. The stakeholders also believed that AWDC should be more ambitious, outline a strategy with a view to the future and attach clear objectives to this strategy. In their opinion, AWDC must sufficiently involve the diamond consumers in the process. In order to obtain better insight into the attitudes and expectations with regard to the diamond industry, AWDC was advised to conduct a large-scale survey, particularly among this group of (potential) buyers. AWDC noted it would use these suggestions into shaping it is sustainability policy and would organize a similar consultation specifically for representatives of companies that are active in the diamond industry for a better understanding of the coming challenges with regard to sustainability.