South African Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu is slated to deliver a keynote address to the Plenary Session of the 8th Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council in Vicenza, Italy, on May 14. The meeting will open on May 13.

Minister Shabangu will be leading a delegation of high-level officials from South Africa, the current Vice-Chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). South Africa served as the scheme's first Chair and will mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of the KPCS during its second term as Chair next year. 

"It will be an honor to host Minister Shanbangu and her delegation in Vicenza," says Eli Izhakoff, WDC President. "With South Africa playing so key a role in the Kimberley Process during the coming two years, their presence underscores the commitment to the ongoing alliance between government, industry and civil society in defending the integrity of the diamond trade." 

Among the other senior government officials who will be addressing the WDC Annual Meeting Plenary on May 14 are Ambassador Gillian A. Milovanovic of the United States, the Chair of the KPCS; and Tung-Lai Margue, Director, Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments of the European Commission.