The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the umbrella organisation representing all sectors of the diamond industry in Belgium, has bestowed on CIBJO President, Gaetano Cavalieri, a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was made during FACETS 2022,  a conference organized by AWDC looking at the current state and future of the diamond industry and market. It recognised Dr. Cavalieri’s contribution both to the Antwerp Diamond centre and to the international jewellery industry in general.

Presenting the award to Dr. Cavalieri, AWDC CEO Ari Epstein noted the role played by the CIBJO President in planting the United Nations flag in Antwerp. He referred specifically to 2011, when Dr. Cavalier helped  coordinate together with the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR), AWDC and the City of Antwerp the establishment of the United Nations International Training Centre for Corporate Opportunities (ITCCO) in the city. Its programme covered human rights, labour and environmental issues, business codes of ethics, corporate social investment, corporate sustainability and governance issues that are most relevant to the complete pipeline of the jewellery industry.

ITTCO was transformed in CIFAL Flanders two years later, and today is part of global network in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, with centre each serving as a regional hub for capacity development, bringing together public sector, private sector and civil society, with a particular focus on the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN’s Agenda 2030 development programme.

Accepting the award. Dr. Cavalieri thanked the AWDC in assisting him become as an honorary citizen of Antwerp. He also echoed Mr. Epstein’s comment that he was too young to be be recognised for lifetime achievement achieve, and said he expected to receive a similar honor in 25 years’ time.

To view a video of the award ceremony, CLICK HERE.