The 2015 CIBJO annual congress opened yesterday in Salvador in the state of Bahia in Brazil in the presence of important government officials and trade members from across the world. This is the first time that the organisation is holding its Congress in Latin America.

The Keynote Address at the opening session was delivered by Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the UN High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, who praised the jewellery industry for its support to the goals of the UN to promote ethical, environmental sustainable development issues.

Stating that his organisation's mission was to support initiatives that allow people to prosper peacefully, and develop concrete strategies for a better understanding between East and West, Al-Nasser said, "The jewellery industry has a big role to play in UN goals by creating jobs and diminishing poverty and by cutting down illicit trafficking of stones.”

He added, “We know how wars have been fuelled by precious minerals in Africa. Diamonds instead of being a symbol of love can become a curse. But we also know how much diamonds can contribute to sustainable development.”

Earlier, CIBJO President Dr Gaetano Cavalieri welcomed the guests and delegates and outlined the important role that the industry can play in economic and social development. He said that the international jewellery sector has shown “a commitment to develop sustainable economic, social and environmental opportunities for all of our industry’s stakeholders, and especially those in developing countries, where the added value we can provide is most critically required”.

He also drew attention to the reduced levels of financing available to the diamond industry, a cap on production by major mining companies and the impact on small and medium-sized enterprises. "There urgently needs to be a serious discussion, involving all sectors of the chain of distribution, about the distribution of debt and profit. The health of our industry depends upon it. CIBJO, where all stages of the chain of distribution are represented, would appear a natural forum for such a discussion."

Rui Costa, Governor of the State of Bahia, thanked CIBJO for choosing Salvador as the venue for its Congress. He also spoke about the importance of sustainable development, while Hécliton Santini Henriques, President of the Brazilian jewellery industry trade group, IBGM, the organisation hosting the congress, said that it was a unique opportunity to show how important Brazil is as a producer and consumer of precious stones and metals.

Carlos Nogueira Da Costa Jr., Secretary of Geology Mining and Mineral Production, who was standing in for Senator Eduardo Braga, Minister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Brazil, and Alberto Padova, Officer in Charge, Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the UN, also addressed the session.

Matteo Marzotto, the President of Fiera di Vicenza, sent a video message outlining the organisation’s commitment to work with CIBJO on its CSR educational programme.

During the second part of the opening session, a series of presentations were made by different Brazilian mining companies and other bodies related to the trade.