The agenda of the ICA Congress slated between April 30-May 4, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil promises to host a number of distinguished personalities from the gem and jewellery industry to make presentations, as also an opportunity to interact with and experience the Brazilian gem and jewellery industry. The Congress is hosted by the International Colored Gemstone Association.

The track of the presentations at the Congress will elucidate the Congress theme - which concentrates on fair trade and ethical mining. Presentations would be made on topics including the role of associations with poverty reduction and consumer confidence by - Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO; the achievements and challenges surrounding fair trade certification in the jewelry industry by Michael Rae, CEO of the Responsible Jewelry Council, other speakers including Eli Izhakoff, World Diamond Council Chairman and CEO of the Kimberley Process, Philippe Scordia of Dior Joaillerie; Robert Weldon, Andrew Lucas, and Vincent Pardieu from the Gemological Institute of America; ICA vice president and World Bank consultant Jean Claude Michelou, Douglas Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association; Gavin Pearce from TanzaniteOne; Ian Harebottle of Gemfields, Steve Bennett, CEO of Colored Rocks Limited. Panel discussions and social/cultural events will be part of the event.

Paying tribute to the host country, Brazil, there will be a day-long focus on Brazil and its role in the industry, which Goldman Sachs considers as amongst the four most dominant economies in the world by 2050, along with Russia, India, and China. Over 40 of Brazil's leading producers and exporters of colored gemstones will exhibit their products at a special gem fair during the conference. “Business roundtables will take place between delegates, Brazilians and foreigners, members and non-members of ICA,” describes Oscar Bouza, international division IBGM.

The Congress will also feature the launch of its first ICA Colored Gemstone Jewelry Design Award Contest, in cooperation with IBGM.

Immediately following the Congress, ICA has organised a mine tour of noted mining areas in Brazil, including Belmont and Capoeirana for emeralds, Capão for Imperial topaz, and Cruzeiro and Pederneira for tourmaline. During the gem shows in Tucson, Arizona, ICA in conjunction with IBGM, will host a Brazilian celebration at the Marriott University Park Hotel, Feb. 2nd. Registered and paid Congress attendees can enter a raffle that night and stand the chance to win two round-trip airline tickets to the Congress.