This event was particularly significant as it was the first time that the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) chose to host their conference jointly.

What’s more, this was for the first time in ITMF's 120-year history, Central Asia was chosen as the venue.

The conference further underscored Uzbekistan’s return to the global textile arena following the end of the Cotton Campaign boycott in 2022.

The ITMF is a global trade association that represents textile manufacturers, fostering communication and cooperation among them to promote industry growth and sustainability. On the other hand, the IAF serves as a leading global association for the apparel industry, offering support for sector development through international dialogue and collaboration.

“We are here in Samarkand not only to see the wonderful Silk Road City of Samarkand. We are also here to learn a lot about Uzbekistan’s enormous progress in the last eight years since the start of the reform policy initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It will be most interesting to learn how the country’s cotton, textile and apparel industry has changed during this period and what can be expected from it in the future,” maintained ITMF President Dr. K.V. Srinivasan in his welcome speech while the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his address to conference participants said, “We highly value and support all mutually beneficial initiatives from our foreign partners. In particular, we are ready to provide full assistance in implementing the necessary standards for international brands to enter Uzbekistan. We are also prepared to create favourable conditions for prestigious international organisations to regularly hold conferences, exhibitions, and fashion shows in our country, particularly in cities like Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, Margilan, Kokand, Namangan, and Andijan, which offer high tourism and industrial potential.”

This historic event marked the convergence of the global textile and fashion industries in a city that has stood at the crossroads of world cultures for ages.

Aptly titled “Innovation, Cooperation & Regulation – Drivers of the Textile & Apparel Industry,” the event attracted leading figures from across the global textile and apparel landscape, estimated at over 500, to engage in critical discussions, spanning a total of 25 business events, including closed meetings, on the key issues shaping the future of the industry.

The ITMF board meeting which took place on September 7, set the stage for the next three days of intense discussions on topics such as artificial intelligence, regulation, digitalization, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and supply chains, among other important issues.

The significance of holding such a landmark event in Uzbekistan, particularly in Samarkand, cannot be overstated. For centuries, Samarkand has been a key player in global trade, especially during the height of the Silk Road when it was a vital link between the East and the West. Now, as Uzbekistan’s textile sector continues to grow, it evolves as a crucial player in the global textile supply chain.

Last year, the country’s textile exports reached around $3.5 billion, serving over 75 countries, and by 2026, Uzbekistan aims to increase this figure to $6.5 billion.

The ITMF and IAF’s decision to hold their joint conference in Uzbekistan only reflected the country’s growing importance in the global arena when it comes to textiles.

“Uzbekistan competed with Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, and the United States to host this large-scale forum. The selection of our country highlights Uzbekistan’s growing role in the global textile supply chain. In just two years, we have made tremendous progress, significantly expanding our circle of international partners. In 2023, the country’s textile industry exported around $3.5 billion worth of products to more than 75 countries, and by 2026, we plan to increase exports to $6.5 billion. Strengthening ties with strong international partners plays a key role in achieving this goal,” noted Acting Chairman of the Uztextileprom Association Mirmukhsin Sultanov.

As the event unfolded, participants were treated to a packed agenda that included seminars, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions. Among the notable speakers were Stephen Lamar, President of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Dirk Vantyghem, General Director of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), representatives from Cotton Analytics (USA), Indorama Corporation (Singapore) and many more.

These discussions not only delved into topics like artificial intelligence and digitalization but also addressed key regulatory challenges facing the industry today. The focus on sustainability was particularly pertinent, as the global textile and apparel industry faces increasing pressure to adopt environmentally responsible practices.

The ITMF Awards Session was another highlight of the event, with winners of the ITMF Innovation & Sustainability Award 2024 and the ITMF International Cooperation Award 2024 being announced. These awards recognised the contributions of companies and individuals who have made significant strides in driving innovation and sustainability in the textile industry.

The first day of the conference on September 8 set the tone for the entire event, with a series of discussions that explored the future of textiles and fashion. The Fiber Session on Cotton, was one of the most anticipated ones of the day, featuring global leaders such as Uday Gill of Indorama Corporation, Singapore.

The session concluded with a panel discussion that allowed for a deeper exchange of ideas and perspectives between the speakers and the participants.

The afternoon sessions highlighted manmade fibres, with Ajay Sardana (President & Head, PETCHEM- Industry Affairs. Reliance Industries), India, delivering a presentation on polyester titled “Polyester: the Magical Fibre.” Sardana emphasised the versatility and growing demand for polyester, noting that it is expected to be the fastest-growing fibre globally due to its adaptability across various applications and its ability to blend with other fibres.

He also highlighted India’s rapid growth in polyester production, driven by the government policies that promote use of manmade fibres. Sardana pointed out that even though polyester’s share in India’s total fibre basket is currently lower than the global average, it is quickly catching up.

He also underlined India’s unique position in the polyester value chain while also highlighting Reliance’s integration from upstream to downstream, encompassing yarn, fabric, and garment production.

He linked this integration to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “5F Vision,” which spans Farm to Fibre, Factory to Fashion, and ultimately to Foreign exports.

Another key session focused on the issue of audit fatigue, a growing concern for manufacturers across the globe.

The session titled “Textile & Apparel Industry in Uzbekistan,” provided an in-depth overview of the country’s textile history and its current ambitions.

As Uzbekistan’s textile industry continues to grow, modernising with advanced technologies and sustainable practices, the country’s cluster development system, introduced in 2017, significantly reduced transaction costs for farmers and producers, making Uzbek products more competitive on the global stage.

Today, Uzbekistan is a member of international organisations like Better Cotton and Better Work, with the quality of Uzbek cotton and its compliance with global production standards confirmed by numerous certifications.

During this session, speakers such as Muzaffar Razakov from Global Textile, Uzbekistan, shared insights into the country’s efforts to innovate within the textile industry while Kihak Sung, CEO and Chairman of YOUNGONE Corporation, spoke about his company’s experience in Uzbekistan.

YOUNGONE operates two factories in Uzbekistan and is planning further expansion.

The general session focussing on “Sustainability & Regulation,” tackled the critical regulatory frameworks shaping the future of the industry. Dirk Vantyghem from Euratex, discussed the EU’s sustainable textile strategy, while Kenichi Tomiyoshi from JTF, Japan, highlighted Japan’s efforts to promote a circular economy within its textile sector.

Yan Yan from CNTAC, China, provided an update on China’s regulatory environment, particularly its focus on green manufacturing, while Stephen Lamar from AAFA, spoke on US’s regulatory trends.

The final day of the conference, held on September 10, was marked by the 5th General Session on Collaboration, which emphasized the importance of partnerships in tackling the industry’s biggest challenges.

Speakers like Felix Poza Peña from Inditex and Akila Fernando from Epic Group explored the future of supply chain collaboration and sustainability.

The event culminated with the ITMF Awards Session, moderated by Juan Pares from Textil Santanderina, Spain, where the winners of the ITMF Innovation & Sustainability Award 2024 were honoured.

To sum it up, the 2024 ITMF Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention in Samarkand was a resounding success, bringing together global industry leaders to deliberate on the key issues, including the challenges and opportunities facing the textile and apparel sector even as the event underscored the importance of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in driving the future trajectory while also highlighting Uzbekistan’s growing importance on the global stage.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)