RAPAPORT... The World Diamond Congress will take place in a virtual format beginning September 14, giving industry leaders an opportunity to brainstorm ways of navigating coronavirus-related challenges. The biennial event, a joint meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), was originally scheduled to take place in Hong Kong in November this year."This will be an especially important meeting at a time when the global diamond industry is in crisis due to the pandemic," said Yoram Dvash, acting president of the WFDB. "This congress will enable us to discuss all of the critical issues affecting our industry and to hear from members of the diamond trade worldwide."Organizers expect the two-day event to include public sessions featuring guest speakers, as well as closed meetings pertaining to the two participating organizations, a WFDB spokesperson explained. Dvash and IDMA president Ronnie Vanderlinden said they hoped the virtual format would encourage more people to attend.Image: Yoram Dvash, acting president of the WFDB. (Israel Diamond Exchange)