Sanctions restrictions, including those imposed on Russia, will not be able to prevent scientists from using new technologies to ensure the development of their countries and the solution of global problems for mankind, including in the nuclear field, said the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, and Technology Development of Zimbabwe, Amon Murwira.
“As for sanctions, you cannot impose sanctions on reason. Reason will always break through — through technology, innovation, including in the nuclear field,” he stated, speaking at the plenary session of the II International Youth Nuclear Forum "Obninsk NEW 2024."
The minister also expressed hope that the next 70 years will be “years of progress,” which will also be aimed at solving the problem of climate change on the planet.
“As part of our cooperation with Russia and Rosatom [company], which is always [carried out] on an equal footing, in the field of nuclear science we are targeting the development of human capital. In the future, it will help achieve excellent results in agriculture, the nuclear industry, and other areas," the minister added.
Earlier this month, Zimbabwe's Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, told Sputnik Africa that his country is eyeing increased cooperation with Russia in the field of education to boost economic growth, pointing to the large number of Zimbabwean students receiving scholarships from Russia to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Obninsk, Russia's first naukograd (science city), celebrates the 70th anniversary of the world's first nuclear power plant, launched on June 26, 1954, under the leadership of Soviet academician Igor Kurchatov. For many years, the plant was used as a unique experimental site. The reactor was shut down in 2002.
During this week, a number of celebratory events are taking place in the city. The program includes the abovementioned forum, the opening of the Rosatom Alley of International Cooperation, and other events.
A special event of the business program of the "Obninsk NEW 2024" forum will be the BRICS Seminar on Human Resources Development for the Energy Transition, which will be held as part of the plan for Russia’s BRICS Chairmanship in 2024.