Leaders of the world jewellery, gemstone and precious metals industries are converging on Cape Town, for the 2007 congress of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, which will open at the city�s convention centre on Monday, March 12, according to reports.

Meeting in Africa for the first time, the congress will focus specifically on the role of the international jewellery sector in promoting sustainable economic and social development in countries that produce, process and manufacture minerals, gemstones and finished jewellery.

The guest of honour on the opening day will be South Africa�s deputy president Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka. Participants will include other governments in the region, officials from non-African countries, the United Nations, civil society and leaders of the jewellery industry from around the world.

The event will run through March 15 and will include separate meetings of the various participant sectors in the jewellery industry, including diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls and precious metals.