The Earth-Humanity Coalition (EHC)
World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS)
The Club of Rome (CoR)
Online on May 27, 2026 | 2:00 to 3:30 pm CEST
Nebojša Nešković
Fellow, WAAS; Full Member,
CoR; President, Serbian
Chapter of CoR;
nneskovic49@gmail.com
Opening, 3 min.
In August 2023, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, from 2024 to 2033. The task to lead the preparation and implementation of the activities within the Decade was given to UNESCO. On April 16, 2024, The Earth-Humanity Coalition was founded – as an association of global, regional, and national scientific organizations with the task to prepare and implement, in close cooperation with UNESCO, various initiatives within the overall program of the Decade. WAAS and CoR were among the founding Members of the Coalition. WAAS had initiated the Program of Sciences for Sustainable Development, which became a specific initiative of the Coalition. The WAAS Talks on Science for Humans Security: Future with Fusion Energy is the nineth webinar within the Program. The reports on the previous webinars can be found on the WAAS website, page Events:
https://worldacademy.org/events-new/.
Dragoslav Ćirić
Former Tokamak Operation
Manager (retired), Joint European Torus (JET), United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Abingdon, UK; d.ciric@btinternet.com
Introduction, 7 min., and Moderation
Fusion is the process that powers up the Sun and other stars and is based on fusion of two hydrogen isotopes. If realised on the Earth, it could provide sustainable and practically unlimited source of energy for the future. Fusion research started around 75 years ago and various methods of achieving fusion have been investigated so far. The most developed concept is based on the fusion reaction in high temperature plasmas confined by high magnetic fields in the devices called tokamaks. Until now, more than 100 tokamaks have been built and operated. The webinar is covering the status and objectives of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is being constructed in France, as well as the largest national fusion programme, carried out in the People’s Republic of China. The final talk deals with technical challenges of bridging the gap between experimental fusion reactors and future commercial fusion power plants.
Talks, 20 min. each
Alberto Loarte
Head, Science Division, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France; alberto.loarte@iter.org
ITER Objectives, Status and Plans
Abstract
The ITER project aims to demonstrate the scientific and technical viability of nuclear energy as an energy source for mankind. This high-level aim has materialized into specific scientific and technical objectives such as the production of 500 MW of fusion thermal power with 50 MW of power heating a gas made up of deuterium and tritium. To achieve the overall aim and objectives, a large magnetic confinement device based on the tokamak is presently being built. The presentation will describe the main objectives of the ITER project and its design, the technological developments required to manufacture its components, the status of construction as well as the foreseen research to achieve the ITER objectives.
Jiangang Li
Former Director, Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China; j_li@ipp.ac.cn
Superconducting Tokamak Developments in China
Abstract
The superconducting tokamak developments in China started in 1990s and is discussed in this talk. A brief history of the CN ST tokamak developments is given, which includes the HT-7, EAST, and CRAFT (Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology) facilities. The focus of the talk is on BEST (Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak) and CFEDR (Chinese Fusion Engineering Demo Reactor).
Gianfranco Federici
Programme Manager, European Consortium for the Development of Fusion Energy (EUROfusion);
gianfranco.federici@euro-fusion.org
Gaps to Fill beyond ITER
Abstract
The prospects of commercialization of fusion energy still carry uncertainties and depend on solving a number of overarching scientific and technological challenges, that are in some cases specific to a design but in large part common to any design. Common issues and technology challenges are discussed with emphasis on the low readiness of some enabling core fusion technologies. A few important examples are discussed: the breeding and recovery of tritium fuel to close the fuel cycle, and the reliability and maintainability of critical core components (fusion nuclear technologies). Some risk mitigation strategies are discussed.
Discussion, 20 min.
