The forthcoming World Diamond Congress will have Sergey Vybornov, the president of Alrosa, deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony. This occasion underlines the synergy between the diamond trade and all the important rough diamond producers, as pointed out by Michael Vaughan, the WFDB Secretary General and Executive Director in a press release.

"We are delighted that Mr. Vybornov will be able to join us in China, and address the conference," said Vaughan. "In the changing rough diamond market, the WFDB is intent on developing bridges between the diamond trade and all the important rough diamond producers. Alrosa, which is today the second largest producer of rough after De Beers, and is active in Africa as well as Russia, is a growing force in our business”, he added.

The Congress is considered the industry's most important and prestigious annual gathering. It will be hosted by the Shanghai Diamond Exchange and the CCJP Diamond Manufacturers Association, beginning May 13 at the Portman Ritz-Carlton hotel in Shanghai, and close on Thursday, May 15. The biennial World Diamond Congress is the venue which brings together the general assembly of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). This year marks the 33rd time the congress has been held.

Vybornov was appointed Alrosa's president in February 2007. Prior to that, he served from 2002 to 2007 as director general of the OJSC Investment Group Alrosa.