JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – World Diamond Council (WDC) president Eli Izhakoff on Wednesday announced that he would step down on June 30, after 13 consecutive years at the helm of the global diamond and jewellery organisation.
“It has been an often challenging, but always inspiring, period of my career and one of which I am immensely proud,” he said in a statement.
Izhakoff said the WDC was not only instrumental in creating the system that blocked the flow of conflict diamonds into the legitimate trade, but also changed the way in which the business community perceived its role in greater society.
He added that a steering committee appointed by him last year was working on reforms that would strengthen the organisation and that he planned to have these reforms adopted and implemented before June 30.
“The WDC is evolving and adapting for the years ahead and it is with that same spirit of renewal that I believe a new president should assume responsibility,” he said.
Izhakoff planned to remain involved in the diamond and jewellery industries, and would continue to support the mission and principles of the WDC.