Members of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) voted to accept the Diamond Manufacturers Association of Namibia (DiaMAN) as the organization’s 15th member. The decision was made at the 2009 Presidents’ Meeting held in Antwerp in November. Namibia is the third African country to obtain membership in IDMA.
DiaMAN’s president, Burhan Seber, thanked the IDMA members for accepting his organization to IDMA’s ranks. “IDMA was very welcoming and made us immediately feel part of the group,” he noted.
IDMA’s president, Moti Ganz, said membership in IDMA was not only a clear indication of Namibia’s growing power as a diamond manufacturing nation, but also solid proof that its diamond-supply pipeline is tightly controlled and fully transparent.
“Namibia’s membership adds yet another cornerstone to our organization and by joining South Africa and Botswana, strengthens the African membership within IDMA,” Ganz noted in welcoming the DiaMAN to IDMA. “Diamond manufacturers fulfill a crucial role in the diamond supply pipeline. Our association cannot and will not, at any time and under any circumstances, allow rough diamonds to be manufactured by our members, or by anyone else if we can help it, unless they have been sourced and purchased in compliance with the KP [Kimberley Process] certification system,” he stated.
“If our industry is to grow its market share, diamond jewelry consumers need to be absolutely confident that the diamond polished by us are indeed a significant means for growth, employment and prosperity in the regions where these diamonds are sourced,” the IDMA president added.
About IDMA:
The International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) was founded and convened for the first time in 1946 in Antwerp. It is committed to fostering and promoting the highest ideals of integrity and best practices throughout the diamond industry worldwide, as well as full compliance with all relevant national and international laws. Toward this end, the organization has developed and adopted a Code of Conduct that is binding for all members. IDMA also works to encourage fair and honorable practices and decent working conditions for those employed in the diamond industry and to preserve, protect and promote the trust and confidence of consumers with respect to diamonds and diamond products. It encourages and supports social responsibility by the diamond industry worldwide. IDMA seeks to take a unified leadership role on all issues affecting the industry and convenes bi-annually, at the same time as the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). The Congress includes a session of the general assemblies of both organizations, where joint resolutions are passed on current issues of concern. IDMA played an active role in establishing the Kimberly Process (KP) and is a co-founder of the World Diamond Council (WDC). IDMA includes 12 national member associations representing virtually all diamond manufacturers worldwide. Visit the IDMA’s website at: www.idma.net.
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