A visit of the JINR delegation to Mexico, headed by Director Grigory Trubnikov, began on 29 May. The first event of the visit has been the kick-off meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee JINR-Mexico. It became the first practical step on the road towards the implementation of the Joint Declaration of Intent, signed by JINR and the National Council of Humanities, Science and Technologies of Mexico (CONAHCYT) on the sidelines of the JINR Scientific Council’s session in February.

Prior to the JCC meeting, JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov met with CONAHCYT Director-General María Elena Álvarez-Buylla Roces. Both parties shared their thoughts on the current state of the cooperation between researchers from Mexico and Dubna, and how they see it in the near future and long-term. The Director of JINR noted that the coordination of cooperation through the Joint Coordination Committee, in accordance with the Institute’s established practice, allows for partner state’s national priorities to be translated into the research profile of JINR and the possibilities of its scientific infrastructure. The Director-General of CONAHCYT confirmed their interest in developing cooperation with JINR and pointed out the significance of such an approach where collaboration is based on practical implementation of both sides’ priorities. Present at the meeting were also JINR Vice-Director Vladimir Kekelidze and former President of the Mexican Physical Society and professor at the Institute of Physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Ana María Cetto Kramis, who is also a member of the JINR Scientific Council, cooperation coordinators Alejandro Ayala (UNAM) and Dmitry Kamanin (UC JINR), as well as Horacio Chavira (Communications Coordinator and International Cooperation Director, CONAHCYT).

Grigory Trubnikov and María Elena Álvarez-Buylla Roces opened the JCC kick-off meeting with welcome speeches. As a result of previous communication, they put their signatures on a concluding protocol. In particular, this protocol reflects the factual beginning of the implementation of the Joint Declaration of Intent and sets course for the preparation of the JCC’s first regular meeting.

The parties discussed the expected approaches concerning the work of the Committee, as well as the expected near-future results: selection of projects for cooperation, recommendations to specific Mexican scientists for long-term internships at JINR, as well as information dissemination. Provided by the coordinators, the programme of the JCC’s kick-off meeting included the information about the solid experience that has been gained in the past five years through the NICA Project collaboration, and also about current opportunities for expanding the cooperation in a wide range of subjects.

The programme continued with a round of Q&A. The meeting participants paid special attention to the issues of interaction between JINR and Mexican organizations in the area of radiobiology and radiation medicine. The representatives from Mexico emphasised the importance of training the highly qualified personnel. In response, successful experiences with the JINR’s programmes INTEREST and START were shared. The Mexican side also pointed out the need to support women in science. The JINR representatives shortly commented on the interesting opportunities for cooperation in the areas of information technologies, use of track membranes and nuclear analytical methods.

Closing the kick-off meeting of the JCC, Ana María Cetto Kramis stated, “The successful meeting today is just the beginning of the week of the JINR delegation’s visit, and at its end we will clearly define a way forward.” In his closing comments, Grigory Trubnikov added, “We are happy to hear already very targeted questions. Our goal is to start communication between the members of the committee, to identify few projects to start with and to create a fundament to start speaking a different language based on mutual understanding.”

The delegation’s work in Mexico continues with meetings, seminars, and round tables, where scientific cooperation and opportunities for personnel training will be discussed. The JINR representatives will visit the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo (UMSNH), where they will give presentations on the Institute, its projects, and opportunities for research and training. Besides this, the delegation will participate in round tables with students and researchers to discuss possible cooperation in various areas of JINR’s expertise.