Dear colleagues and friends,
I am delighted to invite you to the 68th Annual Congress of our beloved UIA, to be held in the beautiful city of Paris from October 30 to November 3, 2024. During our Conference in the City of Lights, we will embark on a journey of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration that promises to illuminate our minds and inspire our actions.
Paris, with its rich history, iconic landmarks, and vibrant culture, is the perfect backdrop for our Annual Congress. It has been a center of creativity, philosophy, and progress for centuries, and it continues to be a hub for intellectual exchange and innovation today. Our presence there is a reaffirmation of our commitment to advancing our profession and contributing to the betterment of society.
This Conference is a celebration of ideas, a forum for learning, and a platform for forging meaningful connections. We will have the opportunity to engage with global experts and thought leaders, to challenge our preconceptions, and to cultivate new perspectives. As importantly, we will revel in the many opportunities to connect and reconnect with dear friends and colleagues from around the world.
We will meet first for our Opening Ceremony at a renowned UNESCO site. Then, for our scientific program, we will be ensconced at the Palais des Congress -- an expansive and modern conference center located in the heart of Paris. Our informal event will be an unusual and unique experience for all that also will include great food, dancing, and again, a wonderful opportunity to share the experience with friends and colleagues. As always, our Gala Dinner also promises to be a special night.
The main themes of our Paris Congress – Fashion Law and Sustainability, and Artificial Intelligence – touch two of the most pressing issues and opportunities of our time. Faced with the challenges of global warming and questions about current methods of production, distribution, marketing and consumption, the textile industry and, more generally, the fashion industry, is facing new challenges that raise complex legal issues, not only from the environmental viewpoint but also in terms of human rights and labor laws. The development of compliance programmes and internal investigations play a major role in these areas. Similarly, Artificial Intelligence will be the game changer of our lives, but such omnipotent potential requires careful thought and safeguards to protect against malicious and malevolent use. Who better than lawyers to develop and shepherd the guardrails and considerations needed? In Paris, these themes will guide our discussions and deliberations, serving as a compass as we navigate the complex challenges that lie ahead and seek solutions that can drive positive change.
Finally, we have an amazing organizing committee in Paris, and I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to them and to our sponsors, our volunteers, and, of course, our devoted UIA Centre staff, all of whom are working tirelessly to ensure that the Paris Congress will be an unparalleled success.
I look forward to welcoming you to the City of Lights, for what promises to be an exceptional UIA Congress!
