The WDM establishes association

Monaco made it official, permitted back! 

The World Diamond Museum (WDM) applied for a permit back in October 2022. On March 17, with the publication in the Journal de Monaco, the Ministry of State of the Principality of Monaco made it official. 

The World Diamond Museum reached a significant milestone upon receiving a permit from the Ministry of State of the Principality of Monaco to establish itself in Monaco. 

The statement reads: "The World Diamond Museum aims to be a dynamic, independent association, accessible to all, exercising its activities mainly in the Principality of Monaco. Its chief objective is to create, set up, administer, and promote a museum entirely dedicated to the theme of diamonds. 

Located in the Principality of Monaco, the World Diamond Museum aims to highlight the link between the prestige of the Principality and the glamour of diamonds. The Museum will allow the Monegasque, international visitors, and scholars to become aware of the world of diamonds: their extraction, manufacturing, and marketing.

The association will have an international character. It will function as an educational and cultural platform to create a bridge between Monaco and the world and allow for cultural and commercial exchanges."  

The statement says further that "the association may edit and publish all types of publications, i.e., specialised magazines and books in the field of diamonds, and organise conferences, courses, training, and exhibitions around the theme of diamonds. 

The World Diamond Museum association's activities will also highlight the prestige of the Principality, attracting visitors and members from all countries."  

Alex Popov, one of the association's founding members, said: "We are witnessing another milestone in the World Diamond Museum's development and are delighted to receive the permit to operate in Monaco. The next step is to look for a permanent location and develop content that will be attractive to diamond and jewellery connoisseurs and bring additional tourism and revenue to the Principality." 

Popov emphasized that raising additional funds would be critical to the Museum's further development. "We are seeking active participation by the industry in this important undertaking to allow our small but very active team to build further on the dream of a magnificent World Diamond Museum in Monaco," he added.  

Two other co-founders are the renowned media proprietor, long-time Monaco resident Luiz Costa Macambira, a former publisher of Forbes magazine editions of Monaco and the Netherlands, and a co-publisher of the iconic American luxury lifestyle magazine Robb Report; and a local real estate entrepreneur Jerôme Solamito, a member of one of the most traditional Monegasque families.