Eli Izhakoff, Chairman of the World Diamond Council, was made Honorary President of CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation at a gala dinner in Vancouver on July 24, 2006. The title was presented by CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri and Matthew Runci, President of CIBJO’s Ethics Commission. Izhakoff was unanimously chosen by the CIBJO’s President’s Council to receive this title. The title was presented in appreciation of his life’s work.%%Upon presenting the title to Izhakoff, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri said, “It is our great pleasure to be able to recognize Eli in this way, and to underscore the massive contribution he has made to our industry. I have witnessed how he used his immense skill and personal charisma to create a coalition of industry, government and NGO’s that helped reduce the volume of conflict diamonds,” he said. Cavalieri added that the success of the Kimberley Process was largely due to Izhakoff’s contribution.%%Izhakoff expressed his appreciation for the award, adding, “We have achieved much, but there is a great deal to be done – first and foremost educating our own community about the Kimberley Process, which has created a system for ensuring transparency and an untainted diamond trade from mine to market. CIBJO is an important ally in this mission,” he said.