Prince Edward Hosts Central Asian Foreign Ministers for UK Partnership Talks

London, 25 February 2026 – Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, has convened a meeting with the foreign ministers of Central Asian nations to discuss enhancing regional cooperation with the United Kingdom in education, science, and technology.

"The 'CA5+UK' format visit marks a new chapter in the partnership between Central Asia and Britain. I am confident that collaborative work within this framework will provide additional momentum for the development of our states and deepen interregional cooperation," stated Yermek Kosherbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Kazakh minister highlighted ongoing efforts to transform Kazakhstan into an international educational hub. He noted active partnerships with leading British universities, including Cardiff University, Coventry University, and De Montfort University, which have established their own campuses within Kazakhstan.

During the discussions, Kazakhstan expressed interest in broadening access to British scholarships, grants, and educational initiatives. The proposal also included establishing joint research centres in priority areas such as sustainable development, climate action, digital technologies, and medicine.

The agenda further covered developing collaborative projects in history, art, and tourism. Practical measures were discussed to simplify visa procedures for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Expanding direct air links and creating new tourist routes between the regions were also key points of conversation.

In his remarks, Prince Edward emphasised the fundamental importance of strengthening people-to-people ties as a foundation for long-term partnership. He noted that the United Kingdom highly values Kazakhstan's openness and proactive approach to developing cooperation in areas that are priorities for both sides.