The documents were signed on 26 June alongside the 2nd Obninsk NEW International Nuclear Forum. This year’s event is part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the launch of the world’s first nuclear power plant.

Photo © A3 Agency

The partnership between JINR and Rosatom, as defined by the cooperation agreement, will include the development and modernisation of technologies of the nuclear power industry, creation and operation of a modern experimental stand base and research infrastructure, and joint research activities. JINR Director, RAS Academician Grigory Trubnikov and Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev signed the document.

The new agreement outlines plans for bilateral collaboration on a number of key scientific projects of the Joint Institute, including the development of the NICA Megascience Project, the Superheavy Element Factory, the Baikal-GVD Neutrino Telescope, the operation of the IBR-2 Pulsed Reactor, and the creation of a cyclotron complex based on the MSC-230 Superconducting Cyclotron for proton radiation therapy.

As the first step in implementing the arrangements, Grigory Trubnikov signed an Agreement on the accession of JINR to the International Consortium, thus joining the Multipurpose Fast Neutron Research Reactor (MBIR) Project.

The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research became an official member of the MBIR International Research Centre (IRC) Consortium, gaining access to the research facilities of the fourth-generation reactor under construction in Dimitrovgrad. As a member of the Consortium, JINR will be able not only to apply its experience of international cooperation, but also to participate in determining the scope of experimental studies, developing multilateral research programmes aimed at utilising the reactor, and planning scientific and organizational activities of the MBIR IRC Consortium.

“The history of the creation and development of our international scientific organization, including the construction of research facilities, is inextricably linked with the contribution of nuclear industry enterprises. Upon signing the agreement to join the MBIR Consortium, the Joint Institute is ready to share its experience in developing international cooperation in neutron research and is interested in conducting scientific studies with the extracted neutron beams of the MBIR Reactor. Scientists from JINR and the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering are discussing potential projects of experimental facilities on horizontal experimental channels of the MBIR. JINR representatives participate in the work of the Consortium’s advisory bodies, the MBIR IRC Advisory Board and two committees subordinate to it,” Grigory Trubnikov noted, outlining the role of the Joint Institute in the implementation of the MBIR Research Reactor project.

“JINR is developing broad international scientific and technical cooperation among 16 countries. In addition, the Institute maintains contacts with more than 1,000 research centres and universities in 74 countries around the world. I am confident that cooperation with JINR will help us significantly expand the research basis for utilising the experimental capabilities of the MBIR and upgrade the international research centre based on it,” Alexey Likhachev noted on the importance of joint work.

As part of the Obninsk NEW 2024 Forum, a plenary session “Inspowered by atom: our dream for the next 70 years” took place, moderated by JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov. The participants discussed prospects of nuclear energy for the sustainable development of humankind and the role of the younger generation in shaping the nuclear industry of the future.

Photo © A3 Agency

• 
• 
• 

“The nuclear industry’s founding fathers paved the way for an exciting era of rapid technological advancements that we are living in. They were not only ambitious dreamers, but also talented scientists who made the dreams of millions of people come true. The development of reliable and safe nuclear energy has become the key to the prosperity of the modern world. The younger generation is starting to show more and more interest in the industry. After all, nuclear energy is not only about nuclear power plants. It encompasses a wide range of the most modern sciences,” Grigory Trubnikov said.

The meeting was attended by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, Head of the IAEA Nuclear Energy Department Mikhail Chudakov, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe Amon Murvira, Head of the Human Resources Policy Department of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Yang Chaodong, President of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Centre Mikhail Kovalchuk, Senior Vice President of the China General Nuclear (CGN) Power Group Li Li, Co-founder of the Youth for Energy Southeast Asia organization Jitsai Santaputra.

The Obninsk NEW 2024 International Youth Nuclear Forum is a platform for discussing key technological achievements, innovations, and education in the global nuclear industry. The forum brought together over 600 participants from more than 80 countries, including students, nuclear energy experts, scientists, high-ranking government officials, representatives of the business community, and artists.