Angola has through its newly established Angola Diamond Exchange started the process of joining the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), which marks a significant milestone in the country’s integration into the global diamond mining community.

This was announced by Angola Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Minister Diamantino Azevedo during the WFDB’s 2025 President’s Meeting, in New York, on June 12.

During the meeting, Qatar also expressed an interest in joining the WFDB.

The meeting comprised two-and-a-half days of speeches, panels, site visits and networking among the leadership of the international diamond community.

During WFDB president Yoram Dvash’s address, he pointed out how global stakeholders are not only preserving the natural diamond industry, but also building its future.

“Now is the time to lead with ethics, clarity and unity to protect the value and legacy of natural diamonds and to ensure that the industry’s voice is heard globally,” he stated.  

Botswana President Duma Boko highlighted the central role of diamonds in Botswana’s economy and affirmed the country’s commitment to ethical practices in the natural diamond industry.

Botswana Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo acknowledged the transformative power of the diamond industry and how its ripple effects can change lives.

She called on the industry to continue stimulating demand for natural diamonds by leaning into what makes them aspirational, emotional and the epitome of luxury,

Diamond miner De Beers CEO Al Cook highlighted the importance of innovation and technology, including traceability technologies. He also called for greater global alignment of tariffs, since “natural diamonds should be exempt [from tariffs] in markets such as the US, where they are not mined”.

Moreover, the WFDB meeting included Dvash presenting Boko with a “guardian of the diamond industry award”, while Kenewendo and Cook were presented with “honorary lifetime membership in the WFDB” awards.