NASB: Belarusian and Russian scientists have similar tasks and problems and no contradictions

MINSK, 14 November (BelTA) – Scientists of Belarus and Russia have similar tasks and problems and no contradictions, BelTA learned from Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov during the Festival of Science of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

Vladimir Gusakov said: “Today's event is supposed to invigorate cooperation of young scientists of Belarus and Russia and to get young researchers of our countries involved in the accomplishment of socially important tasks concerning the development of the Union State. Belarus actively promotes international cooperation in science and Russia is a priority partner. The common past, present, and future connect us to Russia. We work with many regions of the Russian Federation starting with the Far East and ending with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Partnership relations between Belarusian and Russian scientists have special significance because we face similar tasks and problems but we have no contradictions. We are united in our approaches and aspirations.”

Several programs of the Union State of Belarus and Russia were implemented in the last few years: Technology-SG, DNA Identification, Combined Fodder-SG, and other ones. The new programs Component-F and Complex-SG have been authorized. “Thanks to joint efforts of Belarusian and Russian scientists a number of new projects of the Union State of Belarus and Russia have been prepared in breakthrough areas of science: space exploration, creation of rockets and space equipment, means for diagnostics, treatment, and preventive care of viral impacts, the development of agribusiness, and other ones. Active involvement of Belarusian and Russian scientists in the implementation of such big research projects is an important factor for the development of the R&D potential of the Union State,” the chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences noted.

Tight ties between Russian and Belarusian scientists are used as an example to a large degree for establishing scientific cooperation within the framework of the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS). It was the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus that had become the base organization for the association.

Cooperation between young scientists of Belarus and Russia advances fast. For the last few years the Council of Young Scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has been cooperating with young scientists of regional organizations of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A congress of young scientists of Belarus and Russia at premises of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in Q1 2023 was the largest youth event. As a result decisions were made in favor of working out tools to support young talented scientists and specialists within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

“The Festival of Science of the Union State is an important scientific event that contributes to the advancement of international youth scientific cooperation. I am convinced that it will allow young scientists to expand professional contacts, which will become the foundation of joint research projects in the future,” Vladimir Gusakov concluded.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is the supreme state scientific organization that takes care of a broad range of tasks in the field of scientific and innovative support for the country's development. Today's Academy of Sciences is a scientific and manufacturing corporation that unites over 100 organizations with over 14,000 employees, including over 4,000 researchers.

The Festival of Science of the Union State is taking place at premises of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on 14-16 November. As many as 100 young scientists of scientific institutions of Belarus and Russia (50 from each country) are taking part in it. Participants of the festival were made familiar with the latest R&D accomplishments of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus at a permanent exhibition that highlights how R&D products of Belarusian science are assimilated by the manufacturing sector. They took part in the solemn opening ceremony and the plenary session. Participants of the festival are also expected to get familiar with the operation of the academy's scientific organizations, visit the NASB History Museum and the academy's Ancient Belarusian Culture Museum. Visits to the academy's scientific organizations are part of the itinerary: the History Institute, the Economics Institute, the Philosophy Institute, the Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources, the B.I. Stepanov Physics Institute, and the United Institute of Informatics Problems. During the festival strategy sessions are also expected to take place on the sidelines of the 3rd congress of young scientists in Sochi on 28-30 November. Over 4,000 people will take part in the event.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is the Belarusian organizer of the festival. The Russian organizers include the Russian Science and Higher Education Ministry, the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education of the Council for Science and Education under the President of the Russian Federation, and the Russia-Belarus international youth cooperation project office.