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Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President
The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
Ronnie VanderLinden, left, is the new president of the World Diamond Council, succeeding Feriel Zerouki (right). VanderLinden was elected at the WDC’s annual general meeting, held this week in Antwerp, Belgium. Zerouki was named honorary president.
Antwerp, Belgium—Ronnie VanderLinden is the new president of the World Diamond Council, the organization that acts as the industry’s official representative in the Kimberley Process.
VanderLinden, a longtime leader in the diamond industry and owner of Diamex Inc., succeeds Feriel Zerouki, who had served in the position since 2023 and was WDC’s first woman president.
Speaking at WDC’s annual general meeting, held Thursday in Antwerp, Belgium, VanderLinden said as president, he will focus on building confidence in natural diamonds, helping the trade sell them, and uniting the industry behind one clear, consistent message when it comes to natural diamonds.
That message needs to include information about what natural diamonds are, where they come from, and the people they benefit along the way.
“The case for natural diamonds is strong, but it has to be demonstrated,” VanderLinden said in his speech in Antwerp. “Where they come from, how they move through the pipeline, and what they do in producing countries is the evidence we need to show.”
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VanderLinden, a longtime leader in the diamond industry and owner of Diamex Inc., succeeds Feriel Zerouki, who had served in the position since 2023 and was WDC’s first woman president.
Speaking at WDC’s annual general meeting, held Thursday in Antwerp, Belgium, VanderLinden said as president, he will focus on building confidence in natural diamonds, helping the trade sell them, and uniting the industry behind one clear, consistent message when it comes to natural diamonds.
That message needs to include information about what natural diamonds are, where they come from, and the people they benefit along the way.
“The case for natural diamonds is strong, but it has to be demonstrated,” VanderLinden said in his speech in Antwerp. “Where they come from, how they move through the pipeline, and what they do in producing countries is the evidence we need to show.”
He also emphasized KP’s role as a mechanism for supporting confidence in natural diamonds.
He credited Zerouki for making the industry “face itself” by centering one key issue within the KP—the need to update the definition of what constitutes a “conflict” diamond.
“We will continue the work to update the conflict diamond definition, so it reflects the reality of today’s risks and strengthens confidence in natural diamonds,” VanderLinden said.
“Feriel Zerouki and the team brought this issue to the forefront. That work matters. We now must finish the job.”
In addition to electing VanderLinden president, WDC members chose a new vice president and treasurer on Thursday.
Anoop Mehta—whom VanderLinden described as a “pillar of both the Indian and global natural diamond trade”—was elected WDC vice president, David Bonaparte was elected treasurer, and Udi Sheintal was re-elected secretary.
Zerouki was given the title of honorary WDC president for her years of service.
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