Fabio Cascapera, Chair of the Organising Committee of the 41st World Diamond Congress and DES President, noted that with the Congress less than four months away, the organisers are in full swing with preparations to stage a “Diamond Davos” in Singapore.
Here, the leadership and membership of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) will be discussing the State of the Industry, table the most important topics on the industry’s agenda, and try to envision the future of the diamond trade.
Originally conceived as biennial meetings where the WFDB and IDMA members would discuss and try to resolve internal and organizational issues, over the years, World Diamond Congresses, now held every three years, have become a platform where members of the entire diamond industry and trade are welcomed to share their views and try to bring clarity to often complex problems and challenges.
“The Organising Committee envisions the 41st World Diamond Congress as a premier forum for focused, high-level dialogue on the most critical issues shaping the global diamond industry. Delegates can expect substantive discussions covering the strategic direction of the trade, market trends, consumer marketing, trade regulations, ethical sourcing, financing, and emerging technologies.
This Congress is where ideas are tested, consensus is built, and decisions that move the industry forward are shaped,” said Cascapera.
The Congress will include five discussion forums or panels. They are:
1. African leadership in the diamond pipeline: building strong societies through diamonds;
2. Growth opportunities in the Asian market;
3. Geopolitics, sanctions, traceability, and import restrictions;
4. Building natural diamond demand worldwide;
5. Past, present, and future, generational integration in the diamond market
Unparalleled Networking
The Congress will bring together a distinguished international audience, including government representatives, leading figures from across the diamond and jewellery value chain, heads of global jewellery organisations, manufacturers, and industry visionaries from China and the ASEAN region - one of the world’s fastest-growing trade blocs. Participants will have rare access to meaningful, face-to-face engagement with the individuals who influence policy, markets, and the future of the trade.
Exploring New Markets
For many delegates, Singapore and neighbouring markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam represent significant untapped opportunities. Open Congress sessions will provide valuable insights into the commercial potential of these Asian markets. Industry leaders from the region will share practical perspectives on market entry, consumer behaviour, and how to establish a sustainable foothold in these fast-evolving economies. Cascapera emphasized that Indian diamond, gem, and jewellery industry members affiliated to the WFDB and IDMA would be most welcome. “While India’s own consumer market is growing fast, our Indian colleagues should also take a close look at the above-mentioned markets -Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.” “If you do not turn up and take part in the formal discussions, you will also miss the informal meetings and the networking. And we all know that what happens in the corridors of congresses and conferences is often more important than what happens on stage. And please remember that the last time a congress was organised in Asia was in Mumbai in 2012. Asia since then has become the second most important diamond market in the world! Singapore’s role and location as an important distribution and service hub will therefore continue to develop and grow!” he noted.
The Power of Synergy
The 2026 World Diamond Congress will be held in synergy with the Singapore International Jewelry Expo (SIJE). This strategic co-location creates a unique environment that blends high-level industry discourse with direct exposure to exceptional jewellery, gemstones, and timepieces- alongside collectors, buyers, and influencers from around the world.
Experience Singapore
For delegates visiting Singapore for the first time - or rediscovering the city after many years-we encourage you to extend your stay. Take time to enjoy our island’s distinctive “city in a garden” setting, its rich and diverse cultural heritage, and its world-renowned cuisine. Singapore offers an experience as memorable as the Congress itself. “This Congress comes at a pivotal moment in the history of the global diamond business,” said Cascapera. “Everything will revolve around how we will keep natural diamonds– opposite synthetic diamonds – relevant and on the mind of the global consumer in a positive way.” Cascapera noted that this is the consensus across the diamond industry. “Only a few days ago IDMA President, Ronnie VanderLinden, who is also President of the World Diamond Council (WDC) made a clear statement during the recent Kimberley Process Intersessional meeting in Mumbai.
“The [diamond] industry must focus on building confidence in natural diamonds and supporting efforts to sell them, as consumer expectations around origin, transparency, and value continue to shift. We need to move forward together, because if we do not sell natural diamonds to people who understand where they come from, what they represent, and what they mean, nothing else we do here matters.” VanderLinden said in Mumbai. “This means,” Cascapera continued, “that we must engage our colleagues in the diamond producing countries on the African continent to upgrade our cooperation in promoting diamond among consumers, to focus on the storytelling of what good diamonds do for African diamond mining nations such as Botswana, Namibia, Angola and others (SL, DRC), and for the many millions pre dominantly in India who depend on diamonds for their livelihood, cutting and polishing diamonds. And let’s not forget to bring into the circle and the droves of jewellery manufacturers, designers, and retailers who tell the diamond story every day!” .
Cascapera said that at the congress, the participants would not shy away from the stark truths, “Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the rough supply pipeline has been seriously affected by the sanctions on Russia, which produces almost 25 percent of rough diamonds worldwide. And then there are the tariffs imposed by the USA, a still largely unresolved problem, and finally the significant competition of synthetic diamonds in the retail markets.”
Cascapra paraphrased the late illustrious two-time WFDB President and long-time president of
the Israel Diamond Exchange, Moshe Schnitzer, who had said that “to work successfully in the international diamond trade means that you have to be an eternal optimist, even at the worst of times. Ultimately, things will come around. “I share that optimism,” Cascapera said. “Ultimately, hopefully sooner than later, with the settling of the war in Ukraine, the sanctions on Russia will end, the US tariff issues will be resolved, and as prices of synthetics, there is no other word for them, hit rock bottom, they will become similar to CZ. And thus, we will return to telling the fascinating story of diamonds. Ofcourse, at the congress, all these issues will receive ample attention!”
Cascapera said he was pleased that two more topics would be given ample attention. “Since we will be holding this Congress in one of Asia’s most important business hubs–Singapore– I look forward to a value-adding panel discussion about the present and developing diamond [consumer] markets in Greater Asia.”
The DES President said that eligible applicants from India would, upon the approval of the Bharat Diamond Bourse or the Gem & Jewellery Promotion Council (GJEPC), receive all possible assistance with visa procedures.
In closing, the DES President touched upon a topic close to his heart. “ I am pleased that the topic of generational change in our industry will be on the table and that it will have a contingent of young industry members with us in Singapore. Without succession in our industry – which is a genuine concern – we cannot build a future. I therefore look forward to welcoming the “Young Diamantaires” to our congress in Singapore. Remember, we are optimists, and we together can build a brilliant future for diamonds, realizing how thankful we need to be for what diamonds have already given us!”
