Home / Sources / Select Committees / Foreign Affairs Committee / The UK’s engagement in Central Asia
Index live
Select Committee · Foreign Affairs Committee

The UK’s engagement in Central Asia

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Feb 2023 Closed: 26 Apr 2024 21 recommendations 7 conclusions 1 report

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 more details about the inquiry

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads: UK engagement in Ce… HC 1158 10 Nov 2023 28 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
5 Conclusion Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:… Rejected

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 with the internal affairs of Central Asian countries by challenging … Read more

Government response AI summary
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 …
Read full response →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
5 Sep 2023 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 View ↗
27 Jun 2023 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 View ↗
9 May 2023 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 View ↗

Who gave evidence

15 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Annette Bohr · Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme Chatham House 1
Charles Garrett — 1
Chris Allan · Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Divi… Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Dr Aijan Sharshenova · Research Fellow Foreign Policy Centre 1
Erica Marat · Professor, College of International Security Affa… National Defense University 1
Erlan Dosymbekov · Managing Partner Ernst and Young (EY) in Kazakhstan and Central Asia 1
Khalida Azhigulova — 1
Leo Docherty · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Europe) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Luca Anceschi · Professor of Eurasian Studies (Central & East Eur… School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow 1
Maisy Weicherding · Researcher Amnesty International 1
Noah Tucker · Senior Researcher The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs 1
Oliver Bullough — 1
Peter Frankopan · Professor of Global History Worcester College, Oxford University 1
Professor John Heathershaw · Professor of International Relations University of Exeter 1
Professor Kristian Lasslett · Head of the School of Applied Social and Policy S… University of Ulster 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
18 Oct 2023 — Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Europe) followi…