The 39th World Diamond Congress will be held in a digital format due to the coronavirus pandemic, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) announced recently.

The virtual WDC is taking place from September 14 to 15. The biennial event was originally scheduled for November in Hong Kong.

According to WFDB Acting President Yoram Dvash, this is the first time that organisers are holding an entire Congress in an online format. “This will be an important meeting at a time when the global diamond industry is in crisis due to the pandemic. This Congress will enable us to discuss all of critical issues affecting our industry and to hear from the members of the diamond trade worldwide,” he added. 
 
IDMA President Ronnie VanderLinden commented, “The coronavirus crisis has only heightened the fundamental challenges our industry faces. Now it is even more important to gather as an industry and to work together to seek new paths forward.”