An online system supporting the jewellery industry in maintaining an ethical chain of custody is one of the programs highlighted at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
CIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri addressed the gathering—dubbed the High-Level Segment—which is made up of representatives from UN member states, the private sector, civil society, and academia.
CIBJO was one of only a handful of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) invited to speak at the session regarding its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability efforts. This year, ECOSOC’s theme is ‘Implementing the post-2015 development agenda: Moving from commitments to results.’
Cavalieri described a series of programs that help optimize the involvement of the international jewellery sector in achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals. The initiatives are meant to mitigate negative societal effects directly or indirectly related to the sector’s activities, he added.
The following are some of the programs Cavalieri highlighted:
- a comprehensive set of courses in corporate social responsibility and sustainability for professionals in the greater jewellery industry;
- collaboration with government and civil society in the areas of biodiversity and the combating of the illicit trade in precious metals and gemstones; and
- the development and promotion of a framework enabling members of the jewellery industry worldwide to measure and offset their carbon footprints.
