CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri has met with Jacques Wagner, the Governor of the Brazilian State of Bahia, to discuss the confederation’s plans to hold its annual congress in Salvador in 2015.

Dr. Cavalieri was accompanied by Hécliton Santini Henriques, President of Instituto Brasileiro de Gemas e Metais Preciosos (IBGM), which will host the congress, and Karina Sena, the President of Associação Bahiana dos Produtores e Comerciantes de Gemas e Metais Preciosos. Joining the meeting was Rafael Valverde, the Superintendent of Industry and Mining in Bahia.

Dr. Cavalieri outlined to Governor Wagner the structure and mission of CIBJO in the gemstone and jewellery sector, emphasising its role in the creation of harmonised international standards of grading and nomenclature. He also described CIBJO’s programme to promote ethical business practices in the jewellery industry, noting the potential of the industry to provide sustainable economic opportunities in regions where gemstones and precious metals are mined, and jewellery is designed and manufactured.

Governor Wagner expressed his delight that CIBJO had accepted the invitation of IBGM to  hold its 2015 congress in Bahia, noting the role of the state as a producer of precious metals and gemstones, as well as jewellery.

Dr. Cavalieri invited Governor Wagner and representatives of his government to attend the 2104 CIBJO Congress in Moscow, where they will be able to formally present Brazil and Salvador, together with IBGM and the jewellery association from Bahia. The congress in Moscow will take place May 19 to 21, 2014.

Photo Caption 1: Governor Jaques Wagner (left), greeting CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri.

Photo Caption 2: Following the meeting at the Governor of Bahia’s headquarters (from left): Hécliton Santini Henriques, President of Instituto Brasileiro de Gemas e Metais Preciosos (IBGM); Governor Jaques Wagner; CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri;  Karina Sena, President of Associação Bahiana dos Produtores e Comerciantes de Gemas e Metais Preciosos; and Rafael Valverde, Superintendent of Industry and Mining in Bahia.