core sector communique

CIBJO concludes 2012 congress in Vicenza with decision to establish  value-adding service bodies for jewellery association members  VICENZA, ITALY: MAY 21, 2012 - CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has concluded its annual conference in the Italian city of Vicenza, with a decision to establish a number of bodies that will provide added-value services to members of national associations that are affiliated with the organisation, as well as to its commercial members. Meeting just prior to the conclusion of the four-day congress, the CIBJO Board of Directors approved the creation of a Trade Show Commission and a Security, Insurance and Logistics Working Group, which will work under the umbrella of its Association Executive Networking Commission, both of which will provide improved services and support for members of bodies associated with CIBJO. The Board of Directors also agreed to reactivate the CIBJO Ethics Commission, chaired by Cecilia Gardner, CIBJO's Legal Counsel and President and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee in the United States; to create a Coral Working Group within CIBJO's Sector A to consider issues specific to coral jewellery manufacturers; and to establish a Strategic Task Force, headed by Israel Diamond Institute Chairman Eli Avidar and a member of CIBJO's President's Council, which will be changed among other things with growing CIBJO's industry membership and strengthening its financial base. "The addition of these various bodies within CIBJO are of critical importance," explained CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri. "Not only do they expand the tangible benefits that our members are able to offer their members through their association with CIBJO, but they strengthen our ability to tackle both new and developing challenges facing our industry." The CIBJO Board of Directors also approved a series of amendments to the organisation's closely followed Blue Books of industry standards and nomenclature, which had been introduced, debated and fine-tuned in the professional commissions during the course of the congress. During the General Assembly Meeting that preceded the board meeting, it was announced that CIBJO has undertaken a project to adapt for easy access and availability via smart phones and tablet computers, its Blue Books and other material produced by the organisation on behalf of the international jewellery industry, such as the Retailers Reference Guide. The General Assembly also approved a resolution supporting the call last week by the World Diamond Council to begin discussions about widening the definition of conflict diamonds in the statutes of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The CIBJO President reported that a number of invitations had been received to hold the CIBJO Congress in 2013, and that an announcement regarding the exact time and venue will be made in the near future. The 2012 CIBJO Congress took place between May 17 and 20, and was hosted by the Fiera di Vicenza, Italy's leading jewellery trade show company, in the framework the World Jewellery Forum.

CIBJO is the international jewellery confederation of national trade organizations. CIBJO's purpose is to encourage harmonization, promote international cooperation in the jewellery industry and to consider issues which concern the trade worldwide. CIBJO's chief mission is to protect consumer confidence in the industry.