Utah International Mountain Forum Will Contribute to a Side Event at World Trade Organization
On July 8, 2026, Utah International Mountain Forum members will speak at a side event
at World Trade Organization
Side Event
“Empowering Mountain and Landlocked Communities Through Trade Facilitation, Market Access, and Student-Centric Learning: Lessons from the Kyrgyz Republic and the State of Utah, United States.”
Co-Sponsoring Countries and Institutions
United Nations Mountain Partnership
The Kyrgyz Republic
Mongolia
Ala Too University
Utah Valley University
Herbert Institute of Public Policy
Utah Rotary District 5420
Day: July 8, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 11:15 AM
Place: World Trade Organization
Room B
Centre William Rappard, 154, rue de Lausanne,
1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Agenda:
Moderated: By Gulsunai Toktobaeva, Ala Too students and Natalia Figueroa, Utah Valley University Student
- Greeting from the Mr.Raul Torres, Head of Development Policy Unit, Development Division, World Trade Organization - LLDC Focal Point
- Greetings Dr. Nurbek Maksutov,Head of Representative Office of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic on World Trade Organization issues
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Greetings Dr. Muktar Djumaliev, Former Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the USA.
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Greetings Dr. Jay DeSart, Chair, History and Political Science, Utah Valley University
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Greetings Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev, Lecturer, History and Political Science, Utah Valley University
- Video Greetings from the United Nations Mountain Partnership Coordinator, Mrs. Julia Wolf
- Video Greetings from the Honorable Gary Herbert, Former Governor of the State of Utah
- Muhlisa Nurdinova, Gulsunai Toktobaeva, Aikanysh Zhanuzakova – AlaToo-University, Landlocked Countries and International Trade Aspects: A perspective from Kyrgyzstan Climate Diplomacy and Trade Aspects.
- Natalia Figueroa, UVU Student - Indigenous Mountain Women and Global Trade: Health and Climate Impacts of Free Trade and Pathways for Ethical Trade in Chile and Beyond – A Student-Engaged Learning Initiative
- Alley Holt, UVU Student - 20 Years of the Partnership Between the State of Utah and the Kyrgyz Republic with a focus on Sustainable Mountain Development
- Aemish Brock, UVU Student - Kyrgyzstan and the Alps: A Comparative Case Study on Sustainable Mountain Development and Free Trade
- Megan Ashcraft, UVU Student - Impact of Economic Development on Disability in the Mountains: The Unique Healthcare Challenges Faced by Rural Populations of Utah and Appalachia
- Janessa- Michelle Purcell, UVU Student - Small Island Developing States in the Global Economy: Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Kingdom of Tonga
- Cristina Alves, UVU Student - Rural Women and Sustainable Development in Rwanda and Mozambique: Challenges, Progress, and Global Lessons
- Erynn Lammi, UVU Student - Nexus of Economic Development and Mental Health in Mountain Regions of the State of Utah
- Sophie Jackson - Examination of Japan’s Sustainable Development Goal with a focus on Japan’s green initiative, justice for women, the slow extinction of mountain communities and Japan’s Official Development Assistance
- Louyoko Nianza, UVU Student - The Benefits of Free Trade for the Mountain Countries and Communities: Case Study of the State of Utah.
- Domenic Maximus Callor, UVU Student - Mountainous Free Trade Zones: A Case Study of Italy and Bhutans Trade Economies and Sustainable Mountain Development
- Antoine Mwamba, UVU Student - Global Trade Impact on the Mountain Communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Abigail Fisher, UVU Student - The Cost of Green Growth: Economic Drivers of Clean Energy Scaling and Redistributional Consequences for Mountain Communities–A Comparative Analysis
- Roland Kabongo, UVU Student - Economic Development and Mountain Communities in Saudi Arabia
Q & A Session
Closing Remarks: Dr. Nurbek Maksutov, Head of Representative Office of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic on World Trade Organization issues
Moderator: By Natalia Figueroa, UVU Student