Cambodia will host the 43rd International Footwear Conference (IFC) of the Confederation of International Footwear Associations (CIFA) in 2026, according to Neak Oknha Ly Kunthai, Chairman of the Cambodia Footwear Association (CFA).
He told Khmer Times that representatives from the Cambodia Footwear Association (CFA) participated in the 42nd International Annual Conference (IFC) of the Confederation of International Footwear Associations (CIFA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to introduce and promote Cambodia’s investment environment and footwear industry development to international brands and guests.
In 2025, Malaysia was chosen to host the 42nd CIFA Conference, and the Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers’ Association served as the rotating president of CIFA, organising this event.
“In 2026, Cambodia will proudly host the 43rd CIFA Annual Conference. We hope this important event will bring together buyers, sellers, and stakeholders from around the world, helping them better understand key trends and developments in the global leather and footwear industry,” Neak Oknha Ly Kunthai emphasised.
“The conference will also serve as a platform for meaningful exchange, collaboration, and learning with high-calibre international partners.”
He added that Cambodia became a member of the Confederation of International Footwear Associations (CIFA) in 2019, aiming to promote the sustainable growth of the footwear industry in Cambodia and strengthen its connection to the global market.
According to the Cambodia Footwear Association, the history of the Confederation of International Footwear Associations (CIFA) dates back to 1971. At that time, the event was known as the Rubber Footwear Conference (RFC), which was held 11 times. As the industry evolved, the conference was renamed the International Footwear Conference (IFC), a name it has continued to use to this day.
This year marks the 42nd edition of the IFC. Taking into account the 11 RFC editions and the two years of suspension due to the pandemic, CIFA has now reached a milestone of 55 years. Therefore, 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of CIFA—a moment of great historical significance.
