COngress ProgramME
12 July 2026, Sunday
02:00 p.m. – 06:30 p.m.
Registration
Sands Expo, Level 1
(Marina Bay Sands)
02:45 p.m. – 03:45 p.m.
WFDB Judicial Committee Meeting
*Congress badges shall be distributed to those attending Judicial committee meeting at ParkRoyal
PARKROYAL COLLECTION
Marina Bay
(Palm 5, Level 6)
04:30 p.m. – 06:30 p.m.
Get Together Drink
Sands Expo, Level 1
(Marina Bay Sands)
13 July 2026, MONDAY
08:00 a.m.
Registration
08:00 a.m. – 09:15 a.m.
WFDB Promotion Committee and Trade & Business Committee
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
09:15 a.m. – 10.15 a.m.
Joint WFDB/IDMA Breakfast Meeting hosted by DES
(Peppermint Restaurant, Level 4)
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Opening Ceremony
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
12:30 a.m. – 01:30 p.m.
Lunch
(Peppermint Restaurant, Level 4)
01:45 p.m. – 02:45 p.m.
African Leadership in the Diamond Pipeline: Building Strong Societies through Diamonds
Panel discussion with Minister Bogolo Joy Kenewendo (Botswana), Secretary of State Dr. Victor (Angola), Ahmed Bin Sulayem (DMCC), Kirit Bhansali (GJEPC), moderated by Rob Bates
This panel explores Africa’s growing leadership across the diamond value chain, moving beyond its role as a source of natural diamonds. It highlights how governments, industry leaders, and local stakeholders are advancing transparency, sustainability, and local value creation.
The discussion will also examine how diamonds can drive socio-economic development—supporting jobs, infrastructure, and communities—while addressing challenges such as fair revenue distribution and global market pressures. Overall, the session showcases how Africa is shaping a more responsible and inclusive diamond industry.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
03:00 p.m. – 04:00 p.m.
Growth Opportunities in the Asian Market
Panel discussion with Lin Qiang (Shanghai Diamond Exchange), Kent Wong (Chow Tai Fook Jewelry), Lawrence Ma (Diamond Federation of Hong Kong), Anoop Mehta (Bharat Diamond Bourse), Brijesh Dholakia (Hari Krishna Exports), moderated by Rob Bates
“Growth Opportunities in The Asian Market” explores Asia’s fast-evolving consumer landscape and its strong growth potential for the diamond and jewelry industry. Focusing on key markets such as China, India, and Southeast Asia, it highlights trends in consumer behavior, branding, retail, and e-commerce.
The discussion will also address cultural and generational shifts shaping demand, as well as strategies for navigating regulatory complexities and building lasting connections with Asian consumers.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
04:00 p.m. – 04:30 p.m.
Comfort Break
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
04:30 p.m. – 06:00 p.m.
WFDB combined Executive Committee Meeting / Working Session + Elections
For all WFDB delegates and WFDB observers
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
IDMA combined Executive Committee Meeting / Working Session
For all IDMA delegates and IDMA invitees
PARKROYAL COLLECTION
Marina Bay
(Palm 5, Level 6)
7:30 p.m.
Diamonds & Gems: Asian Charity Dinner
(Shuttle Service Provided)
Attire: Floral Theme / Evening Elegance
Flower Field Hall
- Gardens by the Bay
14 July 2026, TUESDAY
08:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
WFDB Executive Committee Meeting
+ Working Session
For all WFDB delegates and WFDB observers
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
IDMA combined Executive Committee Meeting / Working Session
For all IDMA delegates and IDMA invitees
PARKROYAL COLLECTION
Marina Bay
(Palm 5, Level 6)
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Comfort Break
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
10:40 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.
Building Natural Diamond Demand Worldwide
Panel discussion with Olivia Landau (The Clear Cut), Amber Pepper (Natural Diamond Council), David Bonaparte (Jewelers of America), Tim Goodman (Get-Diamonds), Moshe Salem (WFDB), moderated by Rob Bates
This panel explores how the industry can strengthen global demand for natural diamonds amid growing competition and changing consumer values.
It will focus on collaboration across the value chain, highlighting strategies in branding, marketing, and storytelling, as well as the impact of sustainability, provenance, and generational shifts on consumer perception.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 P.m.
Fireside Chat with Mr Pritesh Patel
President & CEO, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), moderated by Richa Goyal Sikri
In this exclusive fireside chat, Pritesh Patel, President and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America, sits down with luxury journalist and author Richa Goyal Sikri for a candid conversation on the future of one of the industry's most trusted institutions. From GIA's acquisition of Tracr and its expanding global education footprint, to the future of its research legacy and the strategic priorities that will define the next chapter of the Institute, this session offers a rare and unscripted look at where GIA is headed, and what it will take to get there.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
12:15 p.m. – 01:00 p.m.
The Natural Diamond Experience – A Tale of Nature’s Wonders
By Dr. Wuyi Wang, Senior Vice President, Research and Identification, GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
Natural diamonds are celebrated for their beauty, rarity, and symbolism, but their deeper story remains largely untold. This talk reveals the extraordinary geological origins of diamonds truly exceptional. Formed up to 3.5 billion years ago (roughly three quarters the age of Earth) and originating from depths of 150 to 200 kilometers, and in some cases as deep as 800 kilometers, diamonds are among the oldest and deepest-derived materials we can touch. Their inclusions preserve microscopic records of Earth’s interior, offering scientists rare snapshots of our planet’s evolution. More than gemstones, these fascinating crystals are nature’s wonders.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
01:00 p.m. – 02:00 p.m.
Lunch
(Peppermint Restaurant, Level 4)
02:00 p.m. – 02:55 p.m.
Past, Present and Future, Generational Integration in the Diamond Market
Panel discussion with Cédric Barsamian (BFE Diamonds), David Troostwyk (London Diamond Bourse), Kalpesh Jhaveri (Diamond Club West Coast), Molefi Letsiki (Molefi Letsiki Diamonds, President Diamond Gem and Jewellery Association of South Africa), moderated by Rob Bates
“Past, Present, and Future: Generational Integration in the Diamond Market” explores how the diamond industry is evolving across generations, from consumer behavior to leadership. It examines how traditional values intersect with the expectations and innovations of younger professionals and buyers.
The discussion will highlight the impact of generational differences on purchasing, branding, and decision-making, offering insights on how to successfully integrate multiple generations for sustainable growth.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
03:00 p.m. – 03:45 p.m.
Identifying your Diamonds with AI & Nanoparticles
Panel discussion with Dr. Daniel Nyfler (Gubelin Gem Labs), Janak Mistry (DiaDNA), moderated by Richa Goyal Sikri
As technology reshapes the diamond industry, new tools are emerging to verify a stone’s identity and origin with great accuracy and precision. This panel explores how artificial intelligence and advanced nanoparticle-based tracing are transforming diamond authentication, provenance tracking and supply-chain transparency. How technological advancements are saving money for the industry and helping secure the future. The panellists will examine how these innovations are helping the trade and consumers identify diamonds with greater confidence in a complex marketplace, enhance profitability, and create new business avenues in a sustainable fashion.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
03:45 p.m. – 04:05 p.m.
Comfort Break
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
04:10 p.m. – 04:55 p.m.
FROM DEFENSE TO OFFENSE: Winning the Consumer Conversation in the Last 18 Inches
Panel discussion with John Pollard (International Gemological Institute), Jacques Voorhees (Icecap.ai), moderated by Elizabeth West (De Beers Group)
For years, the diamond industry has focused on defending its value proposition. Yet consumers are not making decisions at our conferences, association meetings, or in trade publications - they are making them in the last 18 inches across the jewelry counter. This session explores how the industry can shift from defense to offense by closing the gap between what the industry knows and what consumers hear, transforming complex concepts into compelling human-scale stories that communicate the deeper significance and purpose behind natural diamonds. It examines how concise storytelling and effective language can equip frontline sales professionals with memorable messages that resonate with the next generation of diamond consumers. The session also explores how AI, digital platforms, and education tools can help deliver these messages consistently and at scale.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
04:10 p.m. – 04:55 p.m.
The Unsolved Mystery of Color in Diamonds
Panel discussion with Roy Safit (Fancy Diamond Colour Foundation) and Janak Mistry (DiaDNA), moderated by Richa Goyal Sikri
Fancy colour diamonds remain one of the most complex and coveted segments of the diamond world. This panel brings together leading experts across research, manufacturing, retail and storytelling to unpack the science, rarity and commercial dynamics behind these extraordinary treasures of nature. The discussion will explore how fancy colour diamonds move from geological anomaly to coveted collector’s jewel - and why their allure continues to captivate the global market. It will conclude with a special announcement slated to have a profound impact on the value development of fancy colour diamonds.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION
Marina Bay
(Palm 5, Level 6)
05:00 p.m. – 06:00 p.m.
Presentation by Raluca Anghel of Natural Diamond Council and Rob Bates
Details to follow
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
7:30 p.m.
Gala Dinner
(Shuttle Service Provided)
Attire: Shades of Blue
Singapore Oceanarium,
Ocean Gallery
(Resort World Sentosa)
15 July 2026, WEDNESDAY
09:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
WFDB Congress Working Session
For all WFDB delegates and WFDB observers
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
IDMA combined Executive Committee Meeting / Working Session
For all IDMA delegates and IDMA invitees
PARKROYAL COLLECTION
Marina Bay
(Palm 5, Level 6)
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Comfort Break
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
11:00a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Golconda and Ancient Diamonds – A Historical Perspective
By Dr. Usha Balakrishnan, moderated by Richa Goyal Sikri
For centuries, the fabled mines Golconda produced some of the world’s most legendary diamonds - In this conversation, Richa Goyal Sikri joins noted jewellery historian & author, Dr. Usha R. Balakrishnan to explore the cultural, historical and gemological significance of these ancient treasures. The discussion traces how the allure & mystic of ‘Golconda’ shaped royal treasuries, global trade routes and the mythology of diamonds, while examining why their mystique continues to influence collectors and connoisseurs today. The speakers will also explore other ancient diamond stories.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
11:50 A.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Joint Closing Ceremony Session and Speeches
(open to all)
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)
12:30 p.m. – 13:00 p.m.
Press Conference
(open to all)
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(Atrium Ballroom, Level 5)