Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The business program for the first combined ITMF Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention, the largest international event in the textile and fashion industry, has been announced. The conference will be held from 8 to 10 September 2024, in Samarkand.

Entitled "Innovation, Collaboration, and Regulation — Drivers of the Textile and Apparel Industry," the conference will address the most pressing issues and trends in the global textile industry through numerous sessions and expert discussions. Organized in collaboration with the Uztextileprom Association, the event will bring together over 500 industry professionals, including representatives from leading international textile companies, brands, financial institutions, and retail.

The first day of the conference will focus on fibers, with discussions centered on the production and processing of natural cotton. A panel featuring experts from Indorama Corp (Singapore), Global Textile (Uzbekistan), and Cotton Analytics (USA) will explore the journey of cotton from field to fashion industry, Uzbekistan’s shift from tradition to innovation, and changes in the global cotton industry over the past 50 years. The latter part of the day will address the production of synthetic fibers and the global textile industry's shortage of natural materials.

The second and main day of the conference will cover a wide range of relevant issues and global trends. Euratex (Belgium) will present the EU strategy on sustainable textiles and prospects for international cooperation, while Steve Lamar from the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA, USA) will provide insights into regulatory forecasts in the US. Particular attention will be given to digitalization and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the textile production chain and addressing the shortage of skilled labor in the textile sector. Discussions will include digital labeling with AAFA (USA) and digital distribution with Christian Lott from DMIx (Germany). The role of AI in solving the skilled labor shortage issue will also be highlighted. The day will conclude with a vibrant light and fashion show at the Registan complex.

The culmination of the first combined conference will be the ITMF Awards and ITMF Start-up Award ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements and startups in the global textile industry. The final session on collaboration will gather representatives from Inditex (Spain), Epic Group (Hong Kong, China), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to discuss the future of sustainable development and waste reduction measures.

After the business sessions, delegates will enjoy a rich cultural program, including visits to local textile productions and the ancient city of Bukhara, a key hub on the Silk Road.

Continuing the international dialogue among textile industry leaders, the Global Textile Dialog forum will take place in Tashkent on 13 September 2024, bringing together local and international organizations once again.