World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) President Avi Paz is calling on each bourse member to hold a general assembly to discuss how to protect the reputation of the WFDB-affiliated diamond bourses and their members.

Stressing the importance of the meetings, Paz – who also serves as president of the Israel Diamond Exchange – said in order to reach all bourse members and to be able to ensure the distribution of the information needed at the meetings, he was recommending the use of different forms of media.

Paz said the management of individual bourses should prepare presentations in their native language on the Kimberley Process Certification Process (KPCS), and the absolute ban on conflict diamonds as expressed in the rules and regulation of the WFDB.

In addition, bourses should provide information on the absolute ban on trading in conflict diamonds as laid out in the rules and regulations of each individual bourse, and, if possible, a quick refresher on the rules and regulations of diamond imports and exports in each country.

"I would ask you not to put this off too long," Paz said in a letter to members. "We have to uphold our commitment to assure that no diamonds originating in conflict regions enter the [diamond] trade, and the members of our 29 member bourses are those who need to stand guard over this. Therefore, it is important that each individual diamantaire who holds bourse membership is completely up to speed as to the requirements, rules and regulations concerning the ban on trading in diamonds originating in areas and regions of conflict."