IDMA and WFDB hold presidents meetings on different continents: the two diamond industry organizations usually hold their biennial meetings together, but this year the IDMA parley was held in Botswana, and the WFDB event in Dubai. Not only were they geographically far apart, but the issues discussed were also very different.

With the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) unusually holding their biennial Presidents' Meetings in different countries in April, the issues debated were also varied. IDMA held its meeting first, in Botswana, with the issue of beneficiation being top of the agenda.

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The IDMA meeting was held in Botswana due to the important role Botswana plays as a global diamond producer and in recognition of the need for the creation of a sustainable diamond value chain in Botswana, IDMA President Moti Ganz told the meeting. Botswana's Acting Vice President, Dr. P.H.K. Kedikilwe, who is also the Minister of Minerals Energy and Water Resources, said that his government would take solid and constructive steps to advance the establishment of a profitable and sustainable diamond manufacturing center in Botswana.

At the heart of the discussions was a "pitso," which in the Botswanan language means a round-table event, or a town hall meeting, where the issue of beneficiation was debated in depth. More than 350 participants took part in the diamond beneficiation pitso and the role that the international diamond community will play in beneficiation was discussed. These included …