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
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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
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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
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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
1 result
Clear
5 Conclusion Rejected
Tenth Report - Countries at crossr…
UK's lax financial crime enforcement enables Central Asian kleptocratic autocracies
Illicit finance is an integral component of autocratic rule in Central Asian countries. The UK is a key node for Central Asian capital flight and a leading enabler of its corrupt elites. While the UK is careful not to interfere … Read more
Government Response
The government disagrees with the conclusion, stating that proceeds of corruption are unwelcome in the UK. They detail significant measures undertaken, including passing the Economic Crime Acts of 2022 and 2023, and creating a new NCA unit to combat kleptocracy, asserting these measures harden the UK against illicit finance.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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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
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