The first Dubai Diamond Conference, to be staged 18-19 March 2013 at the Almas Towers, will draw delegates and keynote speakers from Africa, Middle East and Asia.
Keynote speakers include the Hon. Susan Shabangu, Minister of Mineral Resources of the Republic of South Africa; the Hon. Dr. Obert Moses Mpofu, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Republic of Zimbabwe; the Hon. Prof. Dr. Francisco Queiroz, Minister of Geology, Mines and Industry, Republic of Angola; the Hon. Isak Katali, Minister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia; and the Hon. Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Botswana, They will provide attendees with insights from their respective roles covering topics ranging from mining to polishing, trading to finance and diamond banking.
Kimberley Process Chair Ambassador Welile Nhlapo will also address the two-day conference.
Shabangu, in confirming her participation, said: “Dubai has seen remarkable growth in the past 10 years, particularly within the diamond industry. Located at the centre of the New Silk Route, it is certainly the ideal destination for an international diamond conference and I am delighted to attend the inaugural Dubai Diamond Conference on behalf of the Republic of South Africa.
"I look forward to the range of debates and panel discussions that are in store, as well as identifying more ways in which South Africa and the UAE can strengthen their trading ties.”