Al Cook, Chief Executive Officer of De Beers Group, will participate in the upcoming Angola Ministerial Roundtable on the Promotion of Natural Diamonds.
The event is scheduled for June 18, 2025, in Luanda, and will bring together ministers and senior figures from key African diamond-producing nations including Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hosted by Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas (MIREMPET), the roundtable also expects the presence of international industry bodies such as the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), among others.
The objective of the gathering is to encourage a unified approach toward natural diamond promotion. At the heart of the discussions will be strategies for increasing consumer demand while spotlighting the broader socio-economic contributions of natural diamonds across producing countries.
“We are proud of the beauty of diamonds and the benefits they bring to producing nations, but it’s vital that we inspire consumers with the wonder of these natural miracles. I commend the Angolan Government for taking the initiative to establish this event so that key stakeholders in the diamond industry can come together. I’m looking forward to joining leaders of diamond producing countries and businesses in Luanda so that we can align on a successful shared approach for promoting natural diamonds,” said Al Cook.
As lab-grown alternatives continue to spark industry debate, the roundtable will focus on positioning natural diamonds as symbols of both rarity and real-world impact. Leaders are expected to explore joint marketing campaigns, public education efforts, and long-term plans that reinforce the unique value of natural stones, not just as luxury products, but as contributors to national development.