The International Colored Gemstone Association has announced its agenda for the ICA Congress, scheduled to take place this year in Rio de Janeiro from April 30 to May 4.

The congress will open with a day devoted to the host country, Brazil, and its role in the colored gemstone industry, while the second day of the congress will be devoted to fair trade and ethical mining.

World Diamond Council Chairman Eli Izhakoff and Responsible Jewellery Council CEO Michael Rae are slated to speak, along with CIBJO President Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri.

A special gemstone fair is also planned in conjunction with the conference at which 40 or so of Brazil's biggest colored gemstone producers and exporters will exhibit their products.

Brazil was the second country in the world in which diamonds were discovered, and although it has dropped in prominence as a diamond producer (in 2009 the country produced 21,153 carats of rough diamonds valued at under $1 million), Brazil's Belmont and Capoeirana regions are mined for emeralds; Imperial Topaz in mined at Capao, and Cruzeiro and Pederneira are rich in tourmaline.