On April 17, 2025, a meeting was held at the residence of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev and the head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.
During the meeting, K. Tokayev highly appreciated the activities of the Orthodox Church in the field of strengthening interethnic and interfaith unity and harmony in Kazakhstan, and also dwelled on issues of state-religious relations. The President stressed that the Metropolitan Area carries out extensive work to preserve and promote moral values in the Kazakh society.
Metropolitan Alexander told the head of state about the life of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, highlighting the topics of spiritual, educational, social and charitable activities, work to preserve cultural and historical heritage and strengthen peace and good neighborliness in the country.
The President of the country and the head of the Metropolitan Area discussed topical issues of state-church relations and preparations for the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held on September 17-18 this year in Astana with the expected participation of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The theme of the upcoming forum is "Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the future." The congress will be devoted to discussing the issues of uniting the efforts of religious leaders to solve the fundamental problems that the international community is facing today.
The President of Kazakhstan expressed confidence that the arrival of the Primate of the Russian Church at the forum would give a serious impetus to the promotion of global interreligious and inter-civilizational dialogue.
Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich congratulated the head of the Metropolitan District on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the canonical and legal status of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which, according to the head of state, invariably conducts active educational and public activities, promotes traditional spiritual and moral values, and the progressive development of interethnic and interfaith dialogue.
In the East Hall of Akorda, the President of Kazakhstan presented the head of the Metropolitan District with a high state award — the Order of Dostyk, 1st degree (Order of Friendship). 
As the head of state noted, Metropolitan Alexander was awarded a high award on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of his ministry in Kazakhstan and in recognition of his outstanding achievements in strengthening peace and harmony. The President of Kazakhstan warmly congratulated Metropolitan Alexander and all Orthodox believers on the upcoming Easter holiday. Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich emphasized the significant contribution of the Orthodox Church to the promotion of traditional and family values, the education of the younger generation and the preservation of the country's rich cultural heritage.
The head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District warmly thanked the head of state for the award, noting that this high award is an appreciation not only of his work, but also refers to the activities of the entire Orthodox Church for the benefit of the multinational and multi-religious people of Kazakhstan.
At the end of the meeting, the President of the country and Metropolitan Alexander exchanged wishes for success in their labors. Vladyka Metropolitan handed over his scientific work, the book "Christianity in Central Asia in the Middle Ages," to K.J.K. Tokayev. The archpastor noted that he was inspired to write the book during one of the meetings personally by Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, who highlighted the history of the traditional religions of Kazakhstan — Islam, the Hanafi madhhab and Christianity. The hierarch thanked the head of state for the meeting and expressed support for the course of modernization and creative reforms for the benefit of the people of Kazakhstan.
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The Dostyk Order was established by the Law of December 12, 1995 No. 2676 "On State Awards of the Republic of Kazakhstan" in one degree, however, by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 26, 1999 No. 462-1 it was divided into two degrees, and also took on a new look. The Dostyk Order is awarded to citizens for their fruitful work to preserve mutual harmony in society, and for their contributions to strengthening peace, friendship and cooperation between peoples.