Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District Meets with Almaty Akim D.A. Satybaldy

August 13, 2026. Almaty. A meeting between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, and Darkhan Amangeldievich Satybaldy, Akim of the Southern Capital, took place at the city Akimat.

The head of the city’s executive authority and the archpastor discussed current developments in the life of the Southern Capital. In particular, they spoke about the significance of the upcoming elections to the Kurultai, established in accordance with the new Constitution adopted in the 2026 constitutional referendum. According to the Akim, the political reforms being implemented in the country contribute to the development of democratic institutions, optimization of the legislative process, and elimination of excessive bureaucratic procedures.

The meeting also addressed efforts to develop the metropolis’s cultural and tourism cluster and to include significant religious sites in popular tourist routes. According to Darkhan Amangeldievich, work continues to unlock the tourism potential of the city and its agglomeration, and this year has seen the beginning of the modernization of Shymbulak and preparations for the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

Metropolitan Alexander told D.A. Satybaldy about the life of the Almaty Diocese and informed him about major international projects carried out during the summer of this year – the Eurasian Orthodox Youth Forum “Sky. Man. Steppe” and the volleyball tournament dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the finding of the relics of the Hieromartyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Almaty, which brought together several hundred young people from all regions of Kazakhstan and foreign countries.

The hierarch informed the head of the city’s executive authority about the work being carried out pursuant to the instruction of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev to include the Ascension Cathedral on the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to the participants in the meeting, the Ascension Cathedral, included among the 100 national sacred sites of Kazakhstan under the presidential “Rukhani Zhangyru” program, 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 scholars – regularly acquaint themselves with the history and contemporary life of this spiritual jewel of the Southern Capital.

The participants discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest. They addressed cooperation between the city administration and the Almaty Diocese in strengthening the spiritual and moral foundations of the lives of the city’s residents and preserving its cultural and historical heritage.

It was noted that constructive dialogue between the executive authorities and the Republic’s leading traditional confessions – Hanafi Islam and Orthodox Christianity – has been and remains an indispensable condition for preserving interreligious peace and interethnic harmony in the metropolis, which in turn serves as an important factor in its socio-economic development.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, Metropolitan Alexander and Darkhan Amangeldievich exchanged wishes for good health and success in their endeavors.