Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From 8 to 10 September 2024, Samarkand hosted the first joint conference of two of the world’s largest textile associations — the ITMF Annual Conference and the IAF World Fashion Convention. This was the most significant global event in the textile industry this year.

For the first time in ITMF’s 120-year history, Central Asia was selected as the host region.

The event attracted more than 500 delegates from around the world, including leading industry players from Europe and Asia. The conference further demonstrated Uzbekistan’s return to the global textile scene following the lifting of the Cotton Campaign boycott in 2022.

The official business program, running from 8 to 10 September, addressed the most pressing issues and challenges in the textile industry: value creation in the production chain, the impact of artificial intelligence, digitalization of production, international regulation, sustainable development, recycling, supply chain optimization, the role of artificial fibers and fabrics, and more. A total of about 25 business events were held, including closed meetings and assemblies.

A special session focused on the prospects for the development of Uzbekistan’s textile industry. Thanks to systematic reforms in the sector, including the abolition of the state monopoly on cotton production, the creation of cotton clusters, the prohibition of forced and child labor, and other reforms, Uzbekistan succeeded in lifting the long-standing boycott of its cotton. Today, Uzbekistan is a member of international organizations such as Better Cotton and Better Work, and the quality of Uzbek cotton, along with its compliance with international production standards, has been confirmed by numerous certifications.

The ITMF Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention served as a unique platform to showcase the country’s achievements and foster international partnerships.

“We highly value and support all mutually beneficial initiatives from our foreign partners. In particular, we are ready to provide full support in implementing the necessary standards for international brands to enter Uzbekistan. We are also prepared to create all necessary conditions for prestigious international organizations to regularly hold conferences, exhibitions, and fashion shows in our country, particularly in cities like Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, Margilan, Kokand, Namangan, and Andijan, which boast significant tourism and industrial potential,” said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his address to the conference participants.

“We have come to Samarkand not only to see this magnificent Silk Road city. We also want to learn about the tremendous progress Uzbekistan has made over the past eight years since the start of the reform policies initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It will be very interesting to see how the cotton, textile, and garment industries have changed during this period and what can be expected in the future,” said Dr. K.V. Srinivasan, President of ITMF, in his welcoming speech.

Conference participants had the opportunity to visit cotton clusters in the Samarkand region ahead of the harvest season and to familiarize themselves with various textile enterprises in Uzbekistan. The event culminated in the announcement of the ITMF Awards and ITMF Start-up Award winners, recognizing the most outstanding achievements and innovations in the industry in 2024.

“Uzbekistan competed with Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, and the United States for the right to host this large-scale forum. The choice of our country highlights Uzbekistan’s growing role in the global textile supply chain.

In just two years, we have made significant progress, greatly expanding our network of international partners. In 2023, Uzbekistan’s textile industry exported goods worth approximately $3.5 billion to more than 75 countries. By 2026, we plan to increase export volumes to $6.5 billion.

Strengthening ties with strong international partners is crucial to achieving this goal,” noted Acting Chairman of the Uztextileprom Association, Mirmukhsin Sultanov.