High-level experts from around the world will discuss progress towards achieving energy production from nuclear fusion at an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting next week. The 28th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC) will take place virtually from 10 to 15 May. It is organized by the IAEA and co-hosted by the ITER Organization and the Government of France through the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
A virtual press conference will take place on Monday, 10 May, 13:00 CEST with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot and CEA Director for International Affairs and Governor to the IAEA Board of Governors Anne Lazar-Sury. Journalists are requested to register for the press conference here.
Fusion holds the promise of abundant, safe and carbon free energy and significant progress has been made in fusion science and technology development and plasma physics in the last decades. The FEC is the world's largest meeting showcasing the latest advancements in this field.
Conference proceedings and side events will all be virtual and open to observation by the public upon registration.
During the Conference, key experts in fusion science and technology development will deliver more than 100 scientific presentations. They will discuss progress in fusion research and technology with an emphasis on preparations for the operation of ITER, the world’s largest fusion experiment. Looking ahead, they will discuss scientific and technological prerequisites for future fusion pilot plants. The designs of facilities to develop and test materials, systems and components for fusion represent another focus-area of this year’s FEC.
Virtual side events, technical tours, webinars and exhibition booths will complement the programme. They will provide valuable insights into women’s roles and perspectives in fusion, the history of the FEC series, learning resources to foster a new generation of fusion experts and other relevant topics.
The full programme can be found here.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi; European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot; and CEA Chairman and High Representative of France for the ITER project Francois Jacq will open the conference, followed by welcoming remarks by additional host representatives and international guests, including:
- Mr Nicolas Chaillet, Director General for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, France
- Ms Eddie Bernice Johnson, US Congresswoman, Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, United States
The IAEA has played a pivotal role in promoting international cooperation on fusion research and has been driving scientific and technological advancements in the field. First held in Salzburg, Austria, in 1961, the FEC has been the leading platform for key physics and technology discussions and innovative concepts related to nuclear fusion. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the FEC series.
Registration
All journalists who plan to attend the virtual press conference need to register by 7 May here.
Scientific presentations and all other FEC’s events are open to observation by journalists and members of the public. To attend the FEC as an observer (without the possibility to ask questions as a full participant), please register here.
For further questions including interview requests please contact press@iaea.org, itercommunications@iter.org and presse@cea.fr.