The IAEA and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organization today signed an agreement that will enhance the research of fusion, a form of nuclear energy created by the merging of light atoms. The Co-operation Agreement is aimed at strengthening the working relationship between both organizations "with a view to facilitating the effective attainment of the objectives set forth in the IAEA Statute and the ITER Agreement." Yury Sokolov, Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Director General of the ITER Organization, Kaname Ikeda, signed the agreement on the opening day of the 22nd IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13 to 18 October. The IAEA has been closely involved with ITER since its inception, as the previous ITER co-operation phases and the ITER negotiations were held under its auspices. The IAEA Director-General is also the Depository of the ITER Agreement. "The IAEA has played a crucial role in the evolution of the ITER project," said Mr. Ikeda. "We look forward to continued, dynamic collaboration." Mr. Sokolov added that the IAEA has helped the international fusion community to focus its plasma physics research on the ITER design. This has made fusion research more results-oriented and has encouraged greater global investment in fusion. "ITER is a clear example of how a large international project can be successfully organized. We are proud of the IAEA´s role in ITER´s development," he said. According to the Co-operation Agreement, both organizations will exchange information regarding the study and potential application of fusion energy and will participate in each other´s meeting. These will include ITER Council meetings and Annual Conferences of the IAEA, as well as its scientific and technical committees. The IAEA and the ITER Organization will also co-operate on training, publications, organization of scientific conferences, plasma physics and modelling, and fusion safety and security. The Co-operation Agreement is also expected to broaden the reach of fusion research into countries which do not currently have fusion programmes but may wish to participate in fusion science and research in the future. The Agreement entered into force upon signature and will be communicated to the Secretary General of the United Nations for registration and publication. For further information on nuclear fusion, please visit: www.iter.org; /NewsCenter/News/2001/08012001_news02.shtml; or http://www-naweb.iaea.org/napc/physics/ACTIVITIES/nf.htm.
