The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will convene the 31st IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC) in 2027, maintaining its role as a premier international forum for the fusion energy community. This biennial event facilitates the exchange of scientific and technical results across the full spectrum of fusion research, from fundamental plasma physics to reactor engineering and materials science. The conference series serves as a critical checkpoint for the global effort, bringing together researchers from public institutions and the growing private sector to present peer-reviewed work and assess the state of the field. The specific location and dates for the 2027 meeting have not yet been announced by the agency. Source: IAEA Fusion

Historically, the FEC has been the venue for announcing significant results from major international experiments. Past conferences have featured pivotal presentations on confinement records, plasma stability, and heating scenarios from devices like JET, JT-60SA, and DIII-D. It is the primary stage for official progress reports from large-scale government-backed projects, including the construction and commissioning status of ITER. The proceedings from these conferences form a comprehensive archive of the progress in fusion energy, documenting incremental advances and major breakthroughs alike, making it an essential event for tracking the trajectory of fusion development. Source: IAEA Fusion

Historically, the FEC has been the venue for announcing significant results from major international experiments.

The conference program typically covers a wide range of topics critical to fusion science and technology. Sessions are dedicated to magnetic confinement experiments, including tokamaks and stellarators, as well as alternative concepts like inertial confinement and magneto-inertial fusion. Key subject areas include plasma operation and control, heating and current drive, plasma-materials interaction, and the development of diagnostic systems. Theoretical and simulation studies are also a major component, providing the computational underpinnings for experimental observations and predictive models for future devices. The breadth of topics ensures a comprehensive overview of the challenges and solutions being pursued worldwide. Source: IAEA Fusion

As the landscape of fusion research evolves, the FEC has increasingly incorporated contributions from the burgeoning private fusion industry. While historically dominated by national laboratories and large public collaborations, recent conferences have seen a growing number of presentations from commercial companies detailing their technological approaches, experimental results, and development timelines. This integration provides a unique platform for direct comparison and discussion between public and private efforts, fostering collaboration and scientific scrutiny. The agenda for FEC 2027 is expected to continue this trend, reflecting the expanding and diversifying global fusion ecosystem. Source: IAEA Fusion