From 15 to 17 July 2026, the first Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033) took place in Paris. On 17 July, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research organized a special session dedicated to the 70th anniversary of its interdisciplinary research programme and many years of experience in international cooperation.
Photos by Ilya Grekhov, MSU Press Office
The event was moderated by Past President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Michel Spiro and JINR Director’s Special Representative for Cooperation with International and Russian Scientific Organizations, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Boris Sharkov. At the opening of the session, Michel Spiro noted that its title, “Science brings nations together: 70 years of JINR multilateral multidisciplinary research programme”, fully corresponds to the purpose of the UNESCO global conference and faithfully reflects the historical mission of JINR. “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of this trip, we are talking not only about our outstanding scientific achievements, but also about many years of experience in building international cooperation that unites the countries, scientific schools, and generations of researchers. Of particular importance in this context is the interaction between JINR and UNESCO, based on a common commitment to developing science as a space for dialogue, trust, and peace. The role of international organizations in uniting countries and creating an environment for the exchange of knowledge between scientists cannot be overestimated. And I would say that it is the most crucial aspect if you want to push for sustainability”, Michel Spiro concluded.
JINR Director, RAS Academician Grigory Trubnikov presented the main achievements and landmark international experiments celebrating Institute’s 70th anniversary and outlined ways for its future development as one of the world’s leading research centres. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the representatives of all Member States and our partners around the world for their support, which is especially valuable in the current difficult conditions. Over the past 70 years, we have come a long way, which was predetermined by great people, the founders of the Institute. For seven decades, JINR has been not only consistently developing its own potential, but also actively broadcasting its accumulated knowledge, ideas, and professionalism to the world. We are constantly improving to share the results with you immediately”, Grigory Trubnikov emphasised.
Plenipotentiary of Egypt to JINR Gina El-Feky gave a talk on the important role of the Joint Institute as a hub of international science diplomacy. She spoke about the role of scientific diplomacy in the modern world using the example of the JINR–Egypt cooperation history. “JINR is not only a scientific centre, but also a benchmark of science diplomacy, which projects soft power through open science”, Gina El-Feky summarised.
The session featured a panel discussion entitled “Science without borders yesterday, today, tomorrow”. The experts discussed the current issues related to fundamental physics development, highly qualified personnel training, and prospects for global scientific and technological collaboration in the context of a changing geopolitical landscape.
Among the participants of the discussion were leaders and experts from major international organizations, IAEA Deputy Director-General Mikhail Chudakov, Director of the IAEA Physics and Chemistry Department Tzanka Kokalova-Wheldon, UNESCO Chair on Science Diplomacy and Heritage Ana-María Cetto, and Chair of the Committee of Plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the JINR Member States, Plenipotentiary of Georgia Arsen Khvedelidze. Other discussion participants included Plenipotentiary of Slovakia to JINR Fedor Šimkovic, Head of the JINR Information Centre in South Africa and SAINTS (Southern African Institute for Nuclear Technology and Sciences) educational programme at the NRF: iThemba LABS research centre Richard Newman, Chair of the JINR Programme Advisory Committee for Particle Physics Itzhak Tserruya, JINR Vice-Director Latchesar Kostov, and Head of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation and International Organizations at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Molovtseva.
Grigory Trubnikov announced the international conference on the fundamental properties of matter in Dubna in May 2027. Employees of the UNESCO Department of Science expressed their willingness to include the conference in the list of events of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development and to join its programme committee.
In addition, JINR representatives participated in several conference events. JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov, as part of a delegation led by Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Valery Falkov, took part in meetings with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and UNESCO Acting Deputy Director-General for Natural Sciences Abou Amani.
Background information
The International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD, 2024-2033) is an initiative proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, with UNESCO playing the leading role. The aims are to unite the scientific community to overcome global challenges, advance countries’ research and technologies, and promote open science in the interest of all humanity.
