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."
WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
DATE: Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
TIME: 10:00-11:45pm CET
VENUE: Room B & LIVESTREAMED
Agenda of Event
MODERATORS: Gulsunai Toktobaeva and Natalia Figueroa
Mr. Raul Torres, Head of Development Policy Unit, Development Division, World Trade Organization - LLDC Focal Point
Welcoming address: Dr. Nurbek Maksutov, Head of Representative Office of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic on World Trade Organization Affairs
Mr. David Bisbee -Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the WTO
Ms. Zolzaya Dorjtsoo - Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the WTO.
Mrs. Julia Wolf, the UN Mountain Partnership,
Dr. Muktar Djumaliev, Former Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the USA, Mentor, IR Club at Ala-Too International University.
Dr. Jay DeSart, Chair, History and Political Science, Utah Valley University (UVU)
Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev, Lecturer,History and Political Science, UVU, Mentor, Utah International Mountain Forum, a coalition of student clubs at UVU.
Gulsunai Toktobaeva, Muhlisa Nurdinova, Aikanysh Zhanuzakova – AlaToo-University, Landlocked Countries and International Trade Aspects: A perspective from Kyrgyzstan Climate Diplomacy and Trade Aspects.
Michidmaa Bayarsaikhan, Geneva Graduate Institute Student, Mongolia – Women at the Centre of Trade Transformation: Mongolia’s Perspective on Sustainable Economic Futures
Janessa- Michelle Purcell, UVU Student - Small Island Developing States in the Global Economy: Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Kingdom of Tonga
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
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
Aemish Brock, UVU Student - Kyrgyzstan and the Alps: A Comparative Case Study on Sustainable Mountain Development and Free Trade
Domenic Maximus Callor, UVU Student - Mountainous Free Trade Zones: A Case Study of Italy Trade Economies and Sustainable Mountain Development
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
Sophie Jackson, UVU Student - 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
Erynn Lammi, UVU Student - Nexus of Economic Development and Mental Health in Mountain Regions of the State of Utah
Abigail Fisher, UVU Student - The Cost of Green Growth: Economic Drivers of Clean Energy Scaling and Redistributional Consequences for Mountain Communities–A Comparative Analysis
Antoine Mwamba, UVU Student - Global Trade Impact on the Mountain Communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Louyoko Nianza, UVU Student - The Benefits of Free Trade for the Mountain Countries and Communities: Case Study of the State of Utah.
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 Affairs
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STATEMENTS
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Mr. Raul Torres
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Dr. Nurbek Maksutov
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Mr. David Bisbee
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Ms. Zolzaya Dorjtsoo
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Mrs. Julia Wolf
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Dr. Muktar Djumaliev
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Dr. Jay DeSart
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Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev
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Gulsunai Toktobaeva
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On July 8th, 2026, eleven UVU students co-hosted an official WTO side event, toured
the WTO and Botanical Garden, and visited the Aga Khan Foundation.
On Wednesday, July 8th, 2026, students from Utah Valley University (UVU) furthered
their diplomatic engagement at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Through
UVU’s Student Engaged Learning (SEL) model, the delegation co-hosted a high-level
side event at the World Trade Organization (WTO), participated in a formal tour of
the WTO headquarters, had a cultural excursion to the local botanical garden, followed
by a visit to the Aga Khan Foundation. Through SEL students are encouraged to work
together to resolve practical problems related to mountain communities with their
teachers serving them as mentors.
At 10:00 am, eleven representatives from the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at Utah Valley University (UVU) including the Foreign Affairs Club, and UVU Rotaract co-hosted a side event at the WTO in collaboration with the World Trade Organization itself, the United Nations Mountain Partnership, the Representative Office of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic on WTO Issues, and Mongolia. The session, titled "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," examined the intersection of WTO frameworks and sustainable mountain development. The event served as a testament to the efficacy of the SEL model in fostering student-led civil society advocacy and meaningful contributions to United Nations initiatives.
UIMF Delegation with WTO Officials at the Meeting Table
The proceedings were co-moderated by Gulsunai Toktobaeva of Ala-Too International University and Natalia Figueroa, UVU student and UIMF President. The session commenced with an address from Mr. Raul Torres, Head of the Development Policy Unit of the Development Division at the World Trade Organization, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Nurbek Maksutov, Head of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic on World Trade Organization Affairs. Special recognition is given to Dr. Maksutov, the organizer of the event, whose efforts provided the essential platform for student participation in these multilateral discussions. Subsequent greetings were delivered by Mr. David Bisbee, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the WTO; Ms. Zolzaya Dorjtsoo, Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the WTO; and via pre-recorded video, Mrs. Julia Wolf, United Nations Mountain Partnership Coordinator. Dr. Muktar Djumaliev, Former Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the USA and Mentor of the IR Club at Ala-Too International University, participated via video conference. UVU faculty perspectives were provided by Dr. Jay DeSart, Chair of the History and Political Science Department, and Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev, Lecturer of History and Political Science at Utah Valley University and UIMF Faculty Mentor.
Dr. Maksutov giving his opening remarks
Gulsunai Toktobaeva (via video conference call - left image) and Natalia Figueroa (right image) moderating the event
Following the inaugural remarks, statements were presented by Ala-Too International University students Gulsunai Toktobaeva, Muhlisa Nurdinova, and Aikanysh Zhanuzakova.
Ms. Michidmaa Bayarsaikhan speaks at the side event
Ms. Michidmaa Bayarsaikhan, a Mongolian student representing the Geneva Graduate Institute, also contributed her insights about role of trade facilitation and market accessibility importance for landlocked countries like Mongolia.
Thereafter, eleven UIMF members from UVU delivered their formal statements: Janessa-Michelle Purcell, Former UIMF President and Study Abroad Mentor; Alley Holt, UIMF Member; Natalia Figueroa, UIMF President; Aemish Brock, UVU Foreign Affairs President and UIMF Vice President; Domenic Maximus Callor, Foreign Affairs Vice President; Megan Ashcraft, UVU Rotaract Vice President; Sophie Jackson, UIMF Member; Erynn Lammi, UIMF Member; Abigail Fisher, UIMF Member; Antoine Mwamba, UVU Rotaract President; and Louyoko Nianza, UIMF Member.
Aemish Brock (left image) and Sophie Jackson (right image) reading their statements
This engagement facilitated the practical application of UVU’s SEL pedagogy, transitioning theoretical knowledge of WTO processes into active advocacy for mountain communities within an intergovernmental forum. The student organizers demonstrated a high degree of professionalism by efficiently managing the event and resolving technical contingencies with poise.
Domenic Callor (left image) and Megan Ashcraft (right image) reading their statements
Upon the conclusion of the side event, Dr. Nurbek Maksutov facilitated an educational
tour of the World Trade Organization, detailing the architectural history and the
diverse collection of diplomatic gifts from member states. Following a formal luncheon
at the United Nations cafe, the delegation visited the botanical gardens to rest and
enjoy the beautiful scenery and vegetation. 
UIMF Delegation, along with Mr. Torres, Dr. Maksutov, and Mr. Andrew C. Blandford, Permanent Mission of the U.S. to Geneva at the WTO entrance
The day’s itinerary concluded with a visit to the headquarters of the Aga Khan Foundation,
which is one of the main contributors to the sustainable mountain development cause
on a lobal level. Michael Kocher, President of the Aga Khan Foundation, addressed
the students on the strategic role of non-governmental organizations in collaborating
with UN bodies. 
UIMF Delegation with Michael Kocher, President of the Aga Khan Foundation
The discussion emphasized integrated approaches to mitigating poverty and fostering resilience in rural, mountainous, and landlocked regions globally.
By Aemish Brock – Foreign Affairs Club President
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STUDENT REFLECTIVE ESSAYS
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26-07-09-Erynn-Lammi-My Contribution to the Side Event at World Trade
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