On November 6, 2024, Dr. Khaled Toukan, Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) and Director of SESAME, attended the Inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG). This landmark event, which was co-hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Italy, gathered ministers, officials, and leaders from industry to explore the vast potential of fusion energy to provide clean energy for the world’s increasing development needs.
Dr. Toukan highlighted the event’s significance, stating, "The inaugural ministerial meeting of the WFEG, marks a critical milestone in global efforts to accelerate the development of fusion energy." He emphasized that fusion energy could serve as "a cornerstone of the world’s clean energy future," with cooperation among governments, scientists, and private entities essential for overcoming the challenges on the path to sustainable fusion energy.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani, and the IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi. Among the notable speakers were the Minister of Environment and Energy Security of Italy, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, the Associate Director for Fusion Energy Sciences of the US Department of Energy, Jean Paul Allain, Italy’s Special Envoy for Climate, Francesco Corvaro, the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Ian Chapman, and the Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, Constantin Haefner.
This inaugural ministerial meeting brought together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Its purpose was to address the immense initial investments required to make fusion energy viable and to foster collaboration in this promising technology. The IAEA’s role as a facilitator in the field of fusion science diplomacy continues to be instrumental in building trust and promoting international partnerships on fusion’s development path.
