One of the important panel discussions at the second Dubai Diamond Conference, taking place April 21 and 22, will focus on ethical business behaviour, with representatives of the trade, consultants and the NGO sector analysing the issues of conflict diamonds and sustainable development.

Participants on this panel include Christine Gordon, a former UN consultant; Ola Bello, the Head of GARP of the South African Institute of International Affairs; Mike Angenent, the founder of the Jeweltree Foundation; Shamiso Mtisi, a member of the Kimberley Process civil society coalition and the head of programs for ZELAkk; Farai Mutamangira, a partner at Mutamangira and Associates and Edward Asscher, the president of the World Diamond Council. The panel will be moderated by Peter Meeus, the chairman of DDE and industry journalist Albert Robinson.

Welcoming the discussions, Bello said, “At this critical juncture in the evolution of the Kimberley Process, the global diamond industry and global non-governmental organizations require a renewed, more forward looking engagement to jointly promote positive transformation in the industry. This must be based on respect and understanding, transparency and good communication as well as realistic expectations of the type that can anchor mutual trust, support and empathy among stakeholders. Only through such a dialog can commercial and social stakeholders create conditions for the productive partnership required to address challenges, including on corporate social responsibility, transparency and good governance.”

Meeus said, "We have hand-picked high-caliber panel members for their expertise in the issues to be discussed. Their high-level input and analysis during the panel debates will add enormously to the knowledge of delegates to the conference regarding many different aspects of the state of the diamond and jewelry markets. We will be covering the entire pipeline and all the issues that are having an impact on business across the globe."