The International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC), established in 1972 and this year marks its 50th anniversary, held an online member representative meeting on March 21st, the meeting was held on background of epidemic impact to the industrial chain and supply chain of the footwear industry, representatives from more than a dozen countries and regions including China, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, India and so on attended the meeting. Yves Morin, UITIC President chaired meeting.

During the meeting representatives reviewed the achievement of the previous UITIC, and the meeting announced the changes to UITIC Executive Board members and Financial Report.

. Li Yuzhong, vice President of China national council of Light Industry and President of China Leather Industry Association, made a speech at the meeting on the situation of Chinese shoemaking industry, and he also appreciated contribution of UITIC to the development of global footwear industry. Li said CLIA always supports UITIC's work and make due contributions to the technological progress of the footwear industry.

Chen Zhanguang, vice president of CLIA, reported the latest situation of the covid-19 epidemic in China and the impact on the holding of international activities in China, he also put forward proposal on the venue of the World Footwear Technology Congress, and decided the 21st World Footwear Technology Conference to be held in Italy in 2023, and The 22nd World Footwear Technology Conference to be held in China in 2025.

Taking into account the possible impact of the pandemic on the conference, the participants also put forward alternative plans for the venue of the Italy’s conference in 2023. The alternative plans of the conference will be notified once confirmed.

The member of representatives also exchanged information, enhanced the confidence to promote the progress of shoe industry technology, and reached a consensus on priority of work for the future. Participants also discussed and made proposal to celebrate UITIC's 50th anniversary.

UITIC

The International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC), established in 1972, is an organization which aims at developing innovation in the footwear sector, in particular by organizing international conferences on a regular basis and by taking the initiative in setting up information exchanges between its members coming from associations, research centres, private companies and footwear experts from 28 countries.

* UITIC’s EC Members: Yves MORIN, J Leandro de MELO, Françoise NICOLAS, Miguel Angel MARTINEZ, Bhabendra Nath DAS, Sergio DULIO, Ricardo J. GUERRA SANCHEZ, Andreas TEPEST, Uwe THAMM, William WONG, Li YU ZHONG

CLIA

China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), established in 1998 and comprising 1.300 members is a national organization. CLIA serves the whole China leather industry and covers leather making, footwear, leather garment, handbag, leather products, chemicals, leather and footwear machinery as well as related institutions, research institutes and colleges.