Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to strengthen the relationship with the government of Uzbekistan given the unfolding humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

The UK government recognises the importance of Uzbekistan's role as a partner in the international response to the crisis in Afghanistan, including in efforts to alleviate the unfolding humanitarian situation. On 16 December 2021, the Minister for Europe and Americas, Wendy Morton MP, and I [Lord Ahmad] met Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Gayrat Fazilov to discuss the UK-Uzbekistan bilateral relationship, including our cooperation on issues relating to Afghanistan. The Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey MP, and I [Lord Ahmad] also made visits to Uzbekistan in September. The UK recognises the role that Uzbekistan can play in supplying humanitarian aid to Afghanistan through their infrastructure hub in Termez and is encouraging UN agencies to use all available routes for humanitarian assistance. The UK has committed £2 million in aid to the World Food Programme and UNHCR for preparations in the region in the event of assistance being required in Central Asia.