Dear colleagues,

The year for which we have made great plans is expiring. This year, we summed up the milestones of the 25-year stage of the modern development of the Institute, in fact, the start of “a new era” distinguished by strengthening of the international status after political and economic changes in some Member States. Particularly in these years, the phrase “Science bringing nations together” uniting us became the motto of the Institute. Particularly in these years, new projects aimed at the fulfilment of sustainable development of the Institute. Some states signed agreements with JINR on associate membership, and it demonstrates the growth of international scientific authority of Dubna. The Institute will further continue comprehensive scientific and technical cooperation, long-term planning, enhance its contacts with international and national scientific centres.

The scientific and technical potential accumulated during these years became the basis for working out the strategic plan for the JINR development until 2030 that includes further development of the NICA mega-project, the DRIBS-III and DERICA (Dubna electron-radioactive ion collider) projects, the NEPTUN superbooster (the future neutron source that will eventually replace the operating IBR-2 reactor), the Baikal-GVD project, the research complex of hadron therapy. A special international working group was established that is engaged in the strategy of the Institute’s development, it is a crucially important task, and the Directorate attaches great value to it.

Today it is a special pleasure to note that active work is underway at the objects of the Seven-year programme (2017 – 2023). Taking an opportunity, I express my deep gratitude to the government of the Russian Federation, governments of the JINR Member States and the JINR staff for their multifaceted support of the Institute and its community.

We conclude the second year of a new seven-year period with good results and hope that our launched projects will be finished. I congratulate the JINR multinational staff, all our partners from the Member States and all Dubna citizens on the occasion of the New Year 2019 and Christmas! I believe that we have ground to look forward with hope and optimism. I wish you good health and happiness!

JINR Director Academician V.A. Matveev