At the 70th IAEA General Conference (2026), China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) hosted a thematic side event titled "Fusion for Future: Engineering — The Key Pathway to Realizing Fusion Energy". At the event, CNNC urged the global fusion community to work together to establish a new international cooperation platform for fusion energy engineering, formally inviting partners worldwide to join this cooperative effort.

During the conference, CNNC released a report on the progress of China's HL-3 device and its joint experimental plan, and opened applications for international partners to participate in experiments. CNNC also presented the latest progress and interim achievements of the world's first fusion energy research and training collaboration center, and introduced the proposed "World Fusion Engineering Federation" and the established Controlled Nuclear Fusion Innovation Consortium.

CNNC's subsidiaries China Fusion Energy Co (CFEC) and the Southwestern Institute of Physics (SWIP) signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the ITER Organization and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, respectively, to further deepen cooperation in fusion energy engineering technology, scientific research, and international exchange.

Co-hosted by CFEC and SWIP, the event featured a series of presentations. Representatives from international organizations, research institutions, and enterprises shared their experience and insights. The participants held in-depth discussions on pathways for advancing fusion energy engineering, key technological innovations, and international cooperation.