UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan Timothy Smart is concluding his mission in Tashkent. He served as His Majesty's Ambassador from 2023 to 2026. In his final interview in this role, he spoke to Gazeta about changes in trade, investment, education, and security, why Uzbekistan's independence and territorial integrity matter to the UK, and the prospects for cooperation with the Central Asian region.
According to the ambassador, upon arriving in Uzbekistan he focused on strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and his country: trade and investment, as well as security and people-to-people ties. All of this built on the foundation laid by previous ambassadors — Tim Torlot, Chris Allan, and all who served before them. Smart noted that the real opportunities and fundamental changes in relations and the region as a whole occurred after 2016.
The ambassador recalled that when he took up his post in 2023, the world had just emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall of the government in Kabul and Russia's invasion of Ukraine had already occurred. A month before his arrival in Tashkent, he participated in a meeting between then-UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in the UK. He recalls their first face-to-face meeting — they hugged warmly, and it was a remarkable moment of sincerity and warmth.
On trade and investment, the ambassador provided concrete figures: when he arrived, bilateral trade turnover stood at £275 million. According to the latest data, by the end of July 2026 it reached £1.3 billion, with the volume for 2025 amounting to £2.1 billion. The bulk of this comes from UK gold purchases. Nevertheless, trade turnover has grown several times over. Smart emphasized that Uzbekistan, as a landlocked country, is particularly in need of expanding trade and attracting investment, and the country is transitioning to a modern, reformed market economy.
The ambassador noted that the UK can help in areas such as the London Stock Exchange, debt and equity capital, private financing, and Islamic financing. In particular, in May of this year, assistance was provided in the placement of assets of the Uzbekistan National Investment Fund (UzNIF). The government plans to place other state assets in the coming years.
Smart welcomed the establishment of an international commercial court in Uzbekistan. According to him, this will help attract direct foreign investment, and investors will feel more confident in a new market. He also acknowledged achievements in legislation on gender-based violence, but stressed that large-scale cultural change must also occur in society. Without the active participation of women in economic growth, sustainable development cannot be achieved.
The ambassador noted with admiration that Uzbekistan harmoniously combines Islamic traditions with openness, modernity, and respect for its multi-layered historical heritage. He cited the new Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent as a striking example. In his view, Uzbekistan can become a true guiding star for the entire region as an example of an open, inclusive, and modern Islamic society.
Speaking about security cooperation, the ambassador noted interaction with the Prosecutor General's Office, including on professional development, closer work between security services, and cooperation with the National Guard and Ministry of Defense. If previously, according to him, only English language teaching was permitted, now drones, mountain warfare tactics, and other issues can be discussed. Uzbekistan is showing excellent results at the Cambrian Patrol exercises in the UK.
The ambassador particularly emphasized the importance of Uzbekistan's independence and territorial integrity for the UK: "If any major power decides not to respect the territorial integrity of this region, this issue will concern us as much as it concerns you." He stated that the UK will support Uzbekistan's independence both through its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and through cooperation in economic growth and security.
Speaking about prospects for cooperation, the ambassador noted that he personally is very enthusiastic about achieving leader-level interaction, and the only thing that has hindered this is the frequent change of prime ministers and foreign ministers in the UK. Over the past five years, the UK has had five prime ministers.
Source: www.gazeta.uz