The UK’s engagement in Central Asia

Foreign Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 9 Feb 2023 Closed: 26 Apr 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry will scrutinise the UK’s diplomatic activity and soft power influence in Central Asia. The inquiry will examine priorities and challenges for the Government as it seeks to deepen its engagement on security, energy, trade, environment and investment to pursue mutually beneficial objectives. Read the call for evidence for … Read more
21 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
1 Letter
3 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
25 Jan
2024
Report published
10 Nov
2023
Report published
18 Oct
2023
Correspondence
5 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
5 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
27 Jun
2023
Oral evidence
27 Jun
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
9 May
2023
Oral evidence
9 May
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
5 Sep 2023
View on parliament.uk
Foreign Affairs Committee
Charles Garrett Chris Allan · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Erlan Dosymbekov · Ernst and Young (EY) in Kazakhstan and Central Asia Leo Docherty · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
27 Jun 2023
View on parliament.uk
Foreign Affairs Committee
Erica Marat · National Defense University Khalida Azhigulova Luca Anceschi · School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow Maisy Weicherding · Amnesty International Noah Tucker · The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs
9 May 2023
View on parliament.uk
Foreign Affairs Committee
Annette Bohr · Chatham House Dr Aijan Sharshenova · Foreign Policy Centre Oliver Bullough Peter Frankopan · Worcester College, Oxford University Professor John Heathershaw · University of Exeter Professor Kristian Lasslett · University of Ulster
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads: UK engagement in Central… HC 1158 10 Nov 2023 28 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Develop tailored engagement approaches for Central Asian states respecting their independence and sovereignty
All five Central Asian states are rightly proud of their distinct cultural heritages and histories. Each has unique assets and strengths and fiercely defends its sovereignty. It is important that the UK Government both respects and encourages the independence of … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states they have already tailored approaches and re-energised relationships with Central Asian states, committing to further deepen bilateral relationships in 2024.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
4 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
UK foreign policy in Central Asia must avoid single-issue dependence
We agree that Russia’s renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s scramble to secure willing partners is a key concern of the UK and must influence foreign policy toward Central Asia. However, the UK’s engagement with Central Asian countries and … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that its relationships with Central Asian countries extend beyond a single issue and details specific multi-million pound development, peace and security, climate, and private sector growth programs, including a new £18m fund launching in 2024.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
19 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Russian disinformation poses significant threat to Central Asian sovereignty and UK interests
Russian disinformation is a threat to both the UK and its Central Asian partners. The insidious messages spread by the Russian state have a powerful impact on how the older generation views the renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine and the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, detailing existing FCDO initiatives like the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate’s Resilience Programme and the Information Threats and Influence Directorate, and states they are actively working to extend these programmes to Central Asia to counter Russian disinformation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
22 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Produce a clear strategy for trade and investment in Central Asia, involving civil society
There are opportunities for increased trade and investment for UK companies in Central Asian states. Policies on investment should be clearer and calibrated to its efforts to curb corruption in-country and in the City of London, its ministerial engagement programme, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, outlining their current trade and investment approach for Central Asia which blends foreign policy and trade targets, focusing on strategic sectors like Education, Critical Minerals, Infrastructure and Capital Markets. They provide examples of ongoing collaboration and support for UK businesses across the region.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
23 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Offer capacity building and legislative assistance to Central Asian states to improve investment environment
The investment environment in Central Asian states is still far from attractive to many would-be investors. There is much more the UK Government could do to improve the situation. We recommend that capacity building for civil servants and practical assistance … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, explaining that its existing Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) programme and targeted non-ODA support from DBT already help improve the business environment and assist with regulation and process in Central Asian states. They commit to continuing this work to promote investment opportunities.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
25 Conclusion Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Central Asian governments are forthright, enabling the UK to be a more assertive partner.
Governments in the respective Central Asian states are forthright diplomatic actors, fully aware of the importance and potential of their nations and the region in the geopolitical manoeuvrings of this decade. The UK is well positioned to be a reliable … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating that the UK's ambition, resources, and senior ministerial engagement in Central Asia are increasing, along with their footprint. This enables them to openly discuss issues like human rights and sanctions circumvention in bilateral and multilateral forums.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
26 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Establish a Central Asia engagement strategy with clear long-term goals and consistent principles.
It is important that UK engagement in Central Asia is responsive to what the citizens of the various states want and need. Change in any political sphere in Central Asia is unlikely to take place rapidly, and UK influence is … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and is updating its high-level regional strategy for Central Asia to reflect current realities and address economic challenges impacting programme spend. They state previous investments have increased the UK's profile in the region.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
27 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Robustly enforce adherence to mutually agreed commitments with Central Asian governments.
The UK Government needs to be clear-eyed and discerning in its engagement with Central Asian governments, all of which fully understand that there is international competition for their cooperation. There are likely to be many issues which the UK will … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, asserting that human rights and governance are vital to their work in Central Asia and detailing existing efforts. They highlight their current engagement, support for civil society, and programmatic work to strengthen rights and freedoms without specifying new measures for 'robust enforcement'.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
28 Recommendation Accepted
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
Embed clear human rights objectives consistently across all UK engagement programmes.
Progress on human rights will depend on creative approaches to dialogue that respect the sovereignty and heritage of these countries yet empower them to meet their obligations to internationally-agreed rights. The UK Government should ensure that clear objectives relating to … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating that human rights and governance are already vital elements of the UK's work in Central Asia. They describe ongoing efforts through embassies, NGOs, multilateral organizations, and programmes like EGED, indicating current practices address the recommendation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 28 of 21 classified
Accepted 9
Accepted in Part 6
Acknowledged 2
Not Addressed 10
Rejected 1
Total 21 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
18 Oct 2023 Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Europe) following up on the FAC oral evidence session on Central Asia, dated 13/10/2023 and 13/09/2023
Parliament page