The UK is hosting the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for a landmark summit in London.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will meet Foreign Ministers of all Central Asian countries on the 26th of February – the first ever joint meeting in this format since the countries’ independence in 1991. For the UK, this is an opportunity to strengthen links with fast-growing economies with new agreements on critical minerals, higher education and carbon capture and to bolster partnerships with this strategically critical region to drive economic growth, diversify supply chains and bolster the region’s resilience.
At the summit, the UK is advancing cooperation with Uzbekistan – especially in education – as part of a wider regional package on critical minerals, higher education and carbon capture. These initiatives aim to diversify supply chains vital for future technologies, expand English-language and academic collaboration, and support green transition projects – creating new opportunities for Uzbek students, researchers and businesses while strengthening skills, investment and trade links.
The UK’s engagement underscores clear support for the independence, economic security and long-term prosperity of Uzbekistan and the wider region. We look forward to building a deeper, forward-looking UK–Uzbekistan partnership that delivers for our people, our economies and our shared security.
