“What is the Gross National Happiness? What is the correlation between population’s happiness and society’s development? What are the reasons for the deepening global inequality? How to find a balance between material and spiritual values for a beneficial development of society? These issues have been at the core of my conversation with the leadership of the Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan,” – Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Head of the Center for Global Trends and International Organizations of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, professor at MGIMO, PIR Center Founder & Special Advisor

“Although there is a number of efforts to bridge Russia and the United States as key players in the NPT review process, unfortunately, today we are witnessing the opposite situation when the dialogue is falling apart. Even at this PrepCom we could witness both the dialogue and the traditionally established rules of behavior falling apart, which is very dangerous. We decided that we needed a special meeting involving next generation of nuclear nonproliferation specialists from both countries, which we called a Track 2.5 meeting. I am particularly grateful to the Gorchakov Fund for its support in bringing three young Russian specialists to the PrepCom and the seminar. The fact that the Russian official fund is interested in this channel of public diplomacy is notable,” – Dr. Vladimir Orlov, PIR Center Founder & Special Advisor.

“It is necessary to maintain cooperation with Iran and send a clear signal to Russian partners abroad that Russia will support legitimate nuclear activities in Iran which correspond with the norms of international law. It is important to maintain such dialogue, as well as provide maximum support to Iran in the international arena and continue bilateral cooperation in the nuclear sphere,” - PIR Center’s “Russia and Nuclear Nonproliferation” Program Director Adlan Margoev.