from a release provided by representatives of the World Diamond Council
World Diamond Council Annual General Meeting Concludes;
ALROSA’s Andrey Polyakov Named Vice President
The World Diamond Council (WDC) concluded its 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Moscow, Russia during which the WDC Board unanimously approved Mr. Andrey Polyakov of ALROSA as Vice President of the WDC.
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WDC’s Corporate Secretary Mr. Udi Sheintal, Treasurer Mr. Ronnie Vanderlinden,
Vice President Mr. Andrey Polyakov, Executive Director Ms. Patricia Syvrud,
and President Mr. Edward Asscher
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Mr. Polyakov, VP for ALROSA, fills the position left vacant by Mr. Andrew Bone’s recent retirement from De Beers and the WDC Board. Per the WDC Bylaws, Mr. Polyakov will
succeed Mr. Edward Asscher, current WDC President, when Mr. Asscher’s two year term as
President expires in May of 2016.
“I look forward to continuing to ensure the mandate of the WDC, which is to prevent conflict
diamonds from entering the supply chain, through the WDC’s critical role of representing the industry at the Kimberley Process,” stated Mr. Polyakov.
Mr. Asscher stated “I am confident that the WDC will continue to lead the fight against conflict diamonds under the future strong leadership of Mr. Polyakov, who will succeed my presidency in May 2016. The Board congratulates Mr. Polyakov in this important role.”
The meeting opened with the participants of the AGM being addressed by ALROSA President Mr. Andrey Zharkov, and the Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia Mr. Alexey Moiseev. Also at the meeting Mr. Erik Jens, head of Diamond and Jewellery Clients for ABN Amro Bank and Mr. Andrew Bone, Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council gave presentations on financing and responsible sourcing in the diamond supply chain.
During the WDC Board meeting, which took place alongside the AGM, Mr. Udi Sheintal, WDC Corporate Secretary, was named WDC General Counsel, replacing Cecilia Gardner, who stepped down from the role in June of this year.
succeed Mr. Edward Asscher, current WDC President, when Mr. Asscher’s two year term as
President expires in May of 2016.
“I look forward to continuing to ensure the mandate of the WDC, which is to prevent conflict
diamonds from entering the supply chain, through the WDC’s critical role of representing the industry at the Kimberley Process,” stated Mr. Polyakov.
Mr. Asscher stated “I am confident that the WDC will continue to lead the fight against conflict diamonds under the future strong leadership of Mr. Polyakov, who will succeed my presidency in May 2016. The Board congratulates Mr. Polyakov in this important role.”
The meeting opened with the participants of the AGM being addressed by ALROSA President Mr. Andrey Zharkov, and the Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia Mr. Alexey Moiseev. Also at the meeting Mr. Erik Jens, head of Diamond and Jewellery Clients for ABN Amro Bank and Mr. Andrew Bone, Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council gave presentations on financing and responsible sourcing in the diamond supply chain.
During the WDC Board meeting, which took place alongside the AGM, Mr. Udi Sheintal, WDC Corporate Secretary, was named WDC General Counsel, replacing Cecilia Gardner, who stepped down from the role in June of this year.
The meeting also focused on the upcoming Kimberley Process Plenary meeting which will take place in Luanda, Angola in November; members discussed the situation in the Central African Republic and the recently created KP Monitoring Team for that country. It was agreed that under no circumstances will the WDC accept that any conflict diamonds from CAR enter the rough diamond pipeline.
