First Central Asia–United Kingdom Summit Held in London

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Foreign ministers from the Central Asian countries and the United Kingdom convened in London for the first Central Asia–United Kingdom summit, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, expanding economic ties, and promoting sustainable development across the region.

The inaugural C5+UK meeting brought together the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, providing a platform to discuss pressing regional challenges, opportunities for trade diversification, industrial cooperation, sustainable infrastructure development, as well as the potential of Central Asia in critical minerals and renewable energy.

The summit included a symbolic opening ceremony of trading on the London Stock Exchange, highlighting the parties’ intent to strengthen capital markets, attract investment, and support long-term economic growth.

UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper, emphasized the significance of the event: “It is a great pleasure for me to meet you in this format for the first time. We know that global conditions are changing rapidly, affecting all our countries, economies, and communities. These changes carry risks but also create opportunities if we act together. Today, our focus is on growth, resilience, connectivity, and security. Partnerships with Central Asia open positive prospects for our shared future.”

The summit paid particular attention to bilateral cooperation between the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, held substantive discussions with Yvette Cooper on expanding strategic cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment, green and sustainable infrastructure, energy, and regional connectivity.

Several Memoranda of Understanding were signed following the talks, aimed at promoting pragmatic, results-oriented engagement, including broader use of green financing instruments, expansion of educational and academic exchanges, and support for the implementation of joint projects.

During the visit, the Uzbek delegation met with representatives of the UK government, financial institutions, and the private sector.

Key meetings included discussions with Lord Jason Stockwood, Minister for Investment, and Tim Reed, CEO of UK Export Finance, resulting in a memorandum to support priority infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan. The delegation also explored opportunities with leaders of Standard Chartered Bank and Benoy for collaboration in industrial financing, sustainable energy, modern urban planning, and infrastructure development.

Additionally, the delegation held meetings with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, and Lord Coker, Minister of State at the UK Ministry of Defence, aimed at strengthening interparliamentary diplomacy and cooperation in the field of security.

The visit program included cultural activities, engagement with students from Central Asian countries to explore the region’s heritage, and participation in a ceremony with the Royal Horse Guards, underscoring the breadth and multifaceted nature of interaction between the United Kingdom and Central Asian nations.