At the recent General Meeting of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), scientists recounted the results of their activities for 2023 and outlined tasks for the current year.
“At the moment, the absolute priority for Russian science, including for the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is the restoration of technological sovereignty in critically important high-tech areas,” academician Valentin Parmon said in his speech at the General Meeting.
According to him, the priorities for scientific research from 2024 onwards should coincide with the updated Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of Russia. Among them are the development of artificial intelligence systems, software and advanced mobile communication networks, quantum technologies, new materials and substances, proliferation of hydrogen energy and others.
Parmon noted that one of the important achievements of the RAS Siberian Branch was initialization and implementation of large multidisciplinary integrated projects at the expense of industrial corporations. One of them, the Great Norilsk Expedition of 2020-2022, was organized by the RAS Siberian Branch with the support of Norilsk Nickel in the shortest possible time, and employees of 15 Siberian research institutes took part in it.
In 2022-2023, five scientific organizations were engaged in the field work for the Great Scientific Expedition, which studied the impact of industry on biodiversity on an area of 63,000 sq. km in the Arctic zone of Russia. The most important result of this expedition was the development of an integral indicator of the state of ecosystems in industrial companies’ zones of responsibility.
Theodor Lisovoy, Editor in Chief of the European bureau, Rough&Polished
