Reflections on the IAF 39th World Fashion Convention & ITMF Annual Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Attending and being part of the organizing team for my first IAF convention, held jointly with ITMF in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was an incredibly eye-opening and unforgettable experience. This event brought the textile and apparel sectors together in a unique way, offering a comprehensive view of how deeply interconnected our industries are. It was heartening to see the mutual reliance as we work together to tackle global challenges.

The discussions on decarbonization, digitalization, and sustainability regulations were not only insightful but carried a shared sense of urgency to drive meaningful change. The atmosphere throughout reaffirmed the importance of collective action and how much stronger we are when we address these challenges together.

One of the presentations that stood out to me came from Karim Shafei from Gherzi, who presented “A Textile Giant in the Making?” report based on how Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a new global leader in textiles, while addressing key challenges like product diversification, logistics, and sustainability, which need to be overcome to secure its place in the international textile landscape.

Povilas Sugintas from Euromonitor delivered another standout presentation on “ AI in the Industry in 2024 and Beyond”.He emphasized how AI is transforming everything from customer experience to supply chain optimization and waste reduction. His message on the importance of critically evaluating our processes to stay competitive in a fast-changing market really resonated with me.

Climate change and its impact on the apparel industry were one of the central themes. Both brands and manufacturers shared powerful statistics, underscoring the urgent need for collaboration across the entire supply chain. It was encouraging to see both sides of the industry agree that working together is key to tackling these challenges. Akila Fernando from Epic Group presented on climate change -heat waves and their statistical connection to the industry made it clear that decarbonization is not just necessary—it’s urgent.

Felix Poza Peña from Inditex also shared important statistics on the fashion industry’s environmental impact and explained a framework agreement between our federation -International Apparel Federation and Inditex. This partnership focuses on promoting sustainability, with decarbonization at the forefront, driven by manufacturers organised in national industry chapters through the national apparel industry associations.

During the company visits, it was fascinating to see the capacity of the Uzbekistan industry but also we experienced once again firsthand just how labor-intensive apparel manufacturing is, especially the crucial role women play in production. Seeing the processes up close was a powerful reminder of the human effort behind every piece of clothing we wear.

The ITMF Award sessions were another highlight, showcasing startups and innovations around sustainability. It was inspiring to see the future of our industry being shaped by new technology fibers and eco-friendly solutions.

Throughout the event, discussions on fast fashion’s environmental impact, the costs of recycling, and the need for digitalization stayed with me. The call for cost-sharing across the supply chain, including consumers, was a recurring theme that highlighted the shared responsibility we all have.

The conference concluded with a post-event tour of Bukhara, which added a rich cultural experience to an already memorable event. I walked away from this experience not only inspired but proud to have played a part in bringing this event together. The connections and insights gained here will stay with me as we continue to navigate the future of our industries hand in hand.

Looking forward to our next joint convention with ITMF on October 23-25, 2025, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia!

Raziye Sahin Taneroglu – IAF