On August 13, 2026, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan met with Darkhan Satybaldy, Akim of the Southern Capital of Kazakhstan, at the city Akimat in Alma Ata.
The head of the executive authority and the bishop discussed current events in the life of the city. In particular, they discussed the importance of the upcoming elections to the Kurultai, established in accordance with the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, adopted at the constitutional referendum of 2026. According to the akim, the political reforms carried out in the country contribute to the development of democratic institutions, optimization of the legislative process and elimination of unnecessary bureaucratic procedures.
The meeting discussed the solution of tasks for the development of the cultural and tourist cluster of the metropolis and the inclusion of significant religious sites in the programs of popular tourist routes. According to Darkhan Amangeldievich, the development of the tourist potential of the city and the agglomeration continues, and this year the modernization of Shymkent and preparations for the 2029 Asian Winter Games have begun.
Metropolitan Alexander told D.A. Satybaldy about the life of the Alma Ata diocese and informed the interlocutor about the implementation of large-scale international projects in the summer of this year: the Eurasian Orthodox Youth Forum "Heaven. Human. Steppe" and a volleyball tournament dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the finding of the relics of the Holy Martyrs Seraphim and Theognost of Alma Ata, who brought together several hundred young people from all regions of Kazakhstan and foreign countries.
The hierarch informed the head of the executive authority of the city about the work carried out on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.-J.K. Tokayev on the inclusion of the Ascension Cathedral in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to the participants of the meeting, this cathedral, which is included in the list of 100 nationwide sacred sites of Kazakhstan under the presidential program "Rukhani Zhangyru", is a place of attraction for numerous pilgrims and tourists.; Distinguished guests — heads of state and diplomatic missions, members of royal families, ministers, leaders of world religions and prominent scientists - regularly get acquainted with the history and modern life of the spiritual pearl of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan.
The meeting participants discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest. The conversation was about cooperation between the city administration and the Alma Ata diocese in strengthening the spiritual and moral foundations of the life of citizens, preserving cultural and historical heritage.
It was noted that a constructive dialogue between the executive authorities and the leading traditional confessions of the republic — Islam, the Hanafi Madhhab and Orthodox Christianity — has been and remains an indispensable condition for maintaining interreligious peace and interethnic harmony in the metropolis, which in turn serves as one of the important factors of socio-economic development.
At the end of the conversation, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, Metropolitan Alexander and Darkhan Satybaldy exchanged wishes for health and success in their labors.