The United Kingdom is recalibrating its engagement with Kazakhstan, placing growing emphasis on green technology, critical minerals, education and cultural cooperation, according to UK Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sally Axworthy.
In an interview with The Astana Times, Axworthy said London sees Kazakhstan as a key long-term partner as global supply chains shift and demand for sustainable growth increases. Rather than pressure or politics, the UK approach is built around practical cooperation, business links and human connections.
She noted that the UK Embassy’s role extends well beyond traditional diplomacy, focusing on connecting Kazakh businesses with British expertise. This cooperation is already visible in Kazakhstan’s urban landscape, with major architectural landmarks designed by British firms. These include Khan Shatyr in Astana by Foster and Partners, the newly opened Almaty Museum of Arts by Chapman Taylor, and the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture by British architect Asif Khan.
Beyond flagship projects, Axworthy stressed that small and medium-sized enterprises are a growing priority. Through the Green and Inclusive Growth Programme, the UK is supporting startups with financing and advisory services, particularly in green, digital and AI-driven sectors. She confirmed that a new venture capital fund is being set up to invest in startups, with a special focus on green technologies and women-led businesses.
Digital innovation has also become a key area of cooperation. During the Digital Bridge forum, the UK Embassy supported an event where startups from across Central Asia pitched to investors, reflecting Kazakhstan’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and technology-led growth.
On energy and climate policy, Axworthy said the UK’s own decarbonisation experience underpins its partnership offer. She noted that the UK now generates about half of its electricity from green sources and has cut emissions by nearly 50% since 1990 while expanding its economy by 80%. This, she said, aligns naturally with Kazakhstan’s net-zero target for 2060.
Critical minerals are central to this cooperation. Axworthy outlined the UK’s updated Critical Minerals Strategy, which focuses on domestic production, financial infrastructure and resilient supply chains. While the UK is developing resources such as lithium and tin in Cornwall, she highlighted London’s role as a global financial hub and the importance of partnerships with resource-rich countries like Kazakhstan.
She cited joint projects already under way, including rhenium recycling through a partnership between Maritime House and Zhezkazgan Redmet, with output expected to supply up to a quarter of global rhenium demand for uses such as aircraft turbines produced by Rolls-Royce. A vanadium project by Ferro-Alloy Resources could eventually meet up to 10% of global demand.
Education and standards underpin these economic ties. Axworthy pointed to the opening of a branch campus of Cardiff University in Astana, offering courses in geological exploration, as well as cooperation on transparency standards through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Addressing geopolitics, Axworthy described Kazakhstan’s multivector foreign policy as logical given its geography and said the UK does not expect exclusive alignment. She recalled remarks by former UK foreign secretary David Cameron that partnership with Britain is about mutual security and prosperity, not choosing sides.
Education and culture remain among the strongest pillars of bilateral relations. Nearly half of Kazakhstan’s Bolashak scholars have studied in the UK, and British universities such as De Montfort University, Coventry University and Cardiff now operate campuses in Kazakhstan. Axworthy also highlighted the role of the British Council and growing cultural links, from Kazakh language courses at Oxford University to increased interest from British creative industries.
She added that Kazakhstan’s tourism and cultural potential is still under-represented in the UK, noting strong interest among British travellers and pointing to Almaty as a city with particular appeal.
