FPN20-56

Watch the July 28 ITER Virtual Celebration

July 28, 2020

On Tuesday morning July 28, a celebration was held at the ITER site in France to mark the official Start of Assembly of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a stepping stone on the way to a new fusion era.

The celebration, hosted by ITER Director General Bernard Bigot, can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/2-7GyVLKE6A

French President Emmanuel Macron kicked off the event celebration by video. Multiple Heads of State and senior government officials from the ITER Parties (China, European Union, India, Korea, Russia and the United States) also participated by video.

“I heartily congratulate the ITER Project,” said Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. “I believe disruptive innovation will play a key role in addressing global issues including climate change and realizing a sustainable carbon-free society.”

The celebration link shows a tour of the site led by Bigot, interspersed with impressive drone views of the facility and components.

The launch of ITER assembly phase was made possible by the arrival of components from all over the world in recent months. It demonstrates the willingness of the 35 partner countries of the ITER international research project to join together in an enduring way in their common fight against climate change.