Inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group

→ Watch event livestream in Italian here
→ Watch the press conference in English here and in Italian here

Recent scientific and technological advances in fusion research have heightened interest among policymakers, scientists, investors, and the public, making the faster pursuit of fusion energy a crucial area of focus. The IAEA World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) is the concrete manifestation of this ambition.

Event details

The inaugural ministerial meeting of the WFEG will take place on 6 November 2024, in Rome, Italy, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The event will be co-chaired by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The IAEA has launched two key publications at the event, Fusion Key Elements and the World Fusion Outlook 2024.

Background of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group

Successful adoption and deployment of fusion energy will require a multi-stakeholder approach which includes governments, academia and private industry. In addition, building trust and understanding among the public is crucial for realizing the potential of fusion as an energy source. This means engaging with communities right from the beginning with the understanding that fusion technology is deployed safely and sustainably, placing an emphasis on ensuring that the benefits of fusion are shared in a just and equitable way.

Recognizing the importance of international collaboration, the IAEA established the WFEG. The WFEG aims to bring together public and private sectors, industry, academia and civil society to form a cohesive global fusion community. This collaborative effort focuses on accelerating the research, development, demonstration and deployment of fusion energy. By fostering a unified collaborative approach, the WFEG seeks to expedite the transition of fusion energy from development stages to commercial viability, ensuring that fusion becomes a bedrock of the world’s clean energy future.

The WFEG will act as a catalyst at this critical juncture, where unified efforts are essential to rapidly advance fusion energy development, by focusing on:

• Increasing global cooperation, particularly through coordinating and providing space and recurring opportunity for interactive dialogue, exchange, planning and partnerships between stakeholders from industry, governments, academia, regulators and public,
• Helping ensure efficacy of fusion energy R&D programs such as in the use of existing facilities and planning for new facilities,
• Communally identifying existing technology and engineering gaps and developing strategies for establishing solutions at international level,
• Fostering discussion on establishing effective fusion regulation,
• Raising public engagement, enhancing youth involvement, and increasing gender equality in fusion energy,
• Promoting integration of fusion into the energy market, and
• Facilitating the integration of fusion into the existing energy systems, including the support infrastructure.

The event will foster global efforts to make commitments under the WFEG framework, which the IAEA will actively help advance under its auspices. The IAEA, in collaboration with its Member States and other partners, will periodically organize WFEG gatherings to review progress towards these outcomes, ensure high-level political engagement and promote further collaborative action on fusion energy.

Information for Delegations

Bilateral meeting rooms are bookable by delegations. Request should be submitted via email.

Advances in Fusion Energy