Emma Wade-Smith, former UK consul general in New York, has embarked on a new role as De Beers' senior vice president of government affairs, leading a charge against Antwerp's exclusive status as the sole entry point for diamonds into EU countries. Alongside a Washington DC-based team, Wade-Smith is advocating for additional entry nodes in key diamond-producing nations like Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Canada.

De Beers asserts that diversifying entry points would bolster diamond source verification without adversely impacting ethical non-Russian diamond producers and the legitimate global diamond trade. The move comes in the wake of G7 nations and 27 EU countries banning imports of Russian gem-quality diamonds of 1.0 carats or more, effective since March 1st, regardless of their cutting and polishing location.