39th IAF World Fashion Convention in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The 39th IAF World Fashion Convention was held from September 8 to 10, 2024, in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

This landmark event marked the first joint conference between the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), co-organized with the Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association (Uztextileprom). Themed “Innovation, Cooperation & Regulation – Drivers of the Textile & Apparel Industry” the convention brought together over  40 speakers and 400 leaders from 44 countries across the entire fiber, textile, and apparel value chain.

Convention Highlights

  • Comprehensive Program: The convention featured a diverse range of sessions addressing critical topics such as decarbonization, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Notably, a session with representatives from Inditex, Epic Group, and the International Finance Corporation highlighted collaborative approaches to achieving significant progress in decarbonization across the supply chain.
  • Global Regulatory Insights: A unique session brought together representatives from major industry associations, including the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the China National Textile & Apparel Council (CNTAC), the European Textile & Apparel Industry Federation (EURATEX), and the Japan Textile Federation (JTF). They provided insights into forthcoming regulations in their respective regions, emphasizing the need for shared responsibility in meeting sustainability standards.
  • Focus on Uzbekistan’s Textile Industry: The convention showcased Uzbekistan’s rapidly growing textile and apparel sector, highlighting its transformation from a major cotton exporter to a burgeoning hub for textile manufacturing. Delegates had the opportunity to explore the country’s industry through factory visits and discussions on sustainable growth initiatives.

The choice of Samarkand, a city with a rich history as a Silk Road trading hub, underscored the convention’s emphasis on bridging traditional practices with modern innovations. The event not only provided high-level industry insights but also facilitated concrete discussions on actions involving the entire industry ecosystem to drive a faster transition towards a more sustainable and efficient future.

Post-Conference Industry & Cultural Tour

Following the official program, attendees were invited to participate in a Post-Conference Tour, offering a deeper insight into Uzbekistan’s textile industry and its rich cultural heritage. The tour featured:

  • Visits to leading textile and garment factories to witness Uzbekistan’s production capabilities and sustainability efforts firsthand.
  • Exploration of Samarkand’s historical landmarks, including the iconic Registan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site symbolizing Uzbekistan’s deep trade and cultural history along the ancient Silk Road.

This immersive experience reinforced the convention’s focus on bridging tradition with modern innovation, showcasing Uzbekistan’s growing importance in the global textile and apparel supply chain.

Speakers Day 1

Full Program and Speakers

Welcome Session
Keynote Addresses:  Jamshid Khodjaev (Deputy Prime Minister, Uzbekistan), Erkinjon Turdimov (Governor of Samarkand Region, Uzbekistan), Davron Vakhabov (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
Welcome Addresses: K. V. Srinivasan (President, ITMF), Cem Altan (President, IAF), Mirmukhsin Sultanov (Chairman, UZTS).

1st General Session: Textile & Apparel Industry in Uzbekistan
Aziz Akhrarov *(Samarkand Apparel, Uzbekistan), Kihak Sung (Youngone, Korea), Abu Yousuf (Better Work, Uzbekistan), Karim Shafei (Gherzi, Switzerland), Muzaffar Razakov (Global Textile, Uzbekistan). Jamshid Ismatullaev (CEO and Owner of Chust Textile, Uzbekistan), Mirmukhsin Sultanov (UZTS, Uzbekistan).

2nd General Session: Sustainability & Regulation
Mustafa Denizer (Diktas, Türkiye), Dirk Vantyghem (Euratex, Belgium), Kenichi Tomiyoshi (JTF, Japan), Yan Yan (CNTAC, China), Steve Lamar (AAFA, USA).

3rd General Session: Digitalization
Stefano Festa Marzotto (Miles Manifattura, Italy), Nate Herman (AAFA, USA), Christian Lott (DMIx, Germany).

4th General Session: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Textile Value Chain
Rafael Cervone (ABIT, Brazil), Thomas Gries (ITA Group, Germany), Povilas Sugintas (Euromonitor, UK).

Speakers Day 2

Welcome Session
Keynote Addresses:  Jamshid Khodjaev (Deputy Prime Minister, Uzbekistan), Erkinjon Turdimov (Governor of Samarkand Region, Uzbekistan), Davron Vakhabov (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
Welcome Addresses: K. V. Srinivasan (President, ITMF), Cem Altan (President, IAF), Mirmukhsin Sultanov (Chairman, UZTS).

5th General Session: Collaboration
Fazlee Shamim Ehsan (Fatullah Apparel, Bangladesh), Felix Poza Peña (Inditex, Spain), Akila Fernando (Epic Group, Hong Kong, China), Femi Akinrebiyo (International Finance Corporation (IFC), USA).

Photos