Paris, France 17 October 2024 – The second edition of the WJI 2030 CEO Forum convened, bringing together more than 70 c-suite from across the global watch and jewellery value chain. The forum themed “The Value of Principles and Transparency in an Era of Disruption and Polarization”, highlighted innovative strategies for businesses to future-proof through enhanced transparency and disclosure.
Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability & Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering and Co-Chair of the WJI 2030 Board, opened the session with a powerful call to action, underscoring the critical role of collaboration. She emphasized, “Collective action is not just a buzzword—we cannot shift the paradigm alone. We must act in concert, and we must act decisively.”
Iris van der Veken, Executive Director and Secretary General of WJI 2030, provided a comprehensive update on the initiative’s progress since its launch two years ago. Van der Veken elaborated, “Each of our initiatives—across climate, nature, and inclusiveness—is aligned with evolving regulations, highlighting the importance of staying ahead of emerging challenges. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; instead, we must focus on collaboration, learning, and shared progress.” She concluded with an inspiring call to action, echoing the words of Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact: “With 2030 fast approaching, we must all work together across generations, sectors, and regions to spur lasting, positive change. This change hinges on four vital ingredients: action, speed, scope, and scale.”
Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture & Philanthropy and Co-Chair of WJI 2030, urged participants to reflect on the expectations of future generations. He emphasized the importance of bringing conviction and purpose into discussions about ESG. “Words like ‘governance’ can feel dry,” he said. “What matters is the energy and heart we put behind these concepts. It’s not about compliance for compliance’s sake—it’s about doing what’s right because it is good.” Vigneron challenged the forum to approach these principles not just as obligations, but as opportunities to lead with purpose.
The forum underscored WJI 2030’s continued commitment to driving sustainability and transparency within the luxury sector, affirming that collaboration and collective action are indispensable for navigating this era of unprecedented disruption.
For a full recap of the event, including insights from our other distinguished speakers, see the event video here.
