We are all in this together

The meetings of the ITER Council usually follow a strict agenda. After the opening words and before the delegates come to discuss the heart of the matter, the Chairman goes around the table and asks the heads of the seven delegations for an opening statement. Statements that this time confirmed the committment of the seven Member states despite fallout from the economic crisis.

 

"I would like to conclude by saying that in this period of economic stress, the US government remains fully committed to ITER, and that I and my colleagues in the Administration are working aggressively to secure full funding to meet US commitments," William Brinkman, the Head of the US delegation and Director of the Office of Science at the US Department of Energy, said. "We may go through some difficult times in the near future, but I would encourage my colleagues in the ITER Council to openly discuss any difficulties they are facing and how other ITER Members may provide assistance. We are all in this together." 

 

Kim Young Shik, the head of the Korean delegation and Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, called ITER "a vital mission for all humanity. I believe we must always bear in mind that the success of fusion energy does not only concern the future of the seven Members, it is the outcome of our collective effort and more importantly, a dream and hope for all of humanity."