In November 2023, the city of Almaty had the honour of hosting Rotary International training masterclasses for the governors of District 2223. Regular training sessions for governors, secretaries, committee chairs and other elected Rotary officials are held in every one of the 536 Rotary International districts worldwide.
The Rotary International delegation was led by Mikael Ahlberg (Sweden) — Regional Coordinator to the RI President 2019–2025, RI Treasurer 2017–2018, RI Director 2016–2018, and District 2410 Governor 2010–2011. He was joined by Dr. Manoj D. Desai (Rotary Club of Baroda Metro, District 3060, India) — a distinguished spinal surgeon with 41 years of practice, RI Director 2015–2017, and co-chair of the Russia Pilot District 2021–2025. Dr. Desai's wife, Dr. Sharmishtha, a leading radiologist and past AG, also attended. Both are Major Donors Level 2 and Bequest Society members; every family member holds Paul Harris Fellow status.
Representing District 2223 were: Maria Gavrilyeva (Governor 2023–24), Alexei Gridchin (Governor-Elect 2024–25), and regional directors Sergei Borovkov, Lyudmila Kutinskaya, Denis Ivanov and Elena Kharchenko. The delegation also welcomed Georgios Vaiopoulos from Greece — founding president of Rotary Club Larissa "Pinios River" and president of the Greek Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.
The event reinforced Almaty's growing role as an international Rotary hub and provided valuable leadership development for club officers across the region.
