HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal Patronizes HTU Symposium “Towards an Arab Initiative for Fusion Energy”

His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, patronized a virtual symposium organized by Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) titled “Towards an Arab Initiative for Fusion Energy.”

The symposium aimed to raise awareness on the importance of developing sustainable energy sources in the Arab world and to explore potential avenues for regional collaboration in advancing nuclear fusion technology — one of the most ambitious and transformative global scientific endeavors.

In his opening remarks, delivered in the presence of university presidents, energy scientists, and international experts, His Royal Highness emphasized that human dignity and safety must remain the ultimate goal of all scientific efforts, including the pursuit of fusion energy, which promises a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future for generations to come.

Prince El Hassan further highlighted the social impact of technological progress, calling upon scientists and experts to clearly communicate its relevance to both policymakers and the public. His Royal Highness underscored the role of science and technology in advancing water, energy, and food security, which are vital for human dignity in a region acutely affected by climate change.

He also stressed the importance of fostering stronger partnerships between academia and both the public and private sectors, noting that the complex challenges of innovation — especially in nuclear fusion — demand collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches. Moreover, His Royal Highness called for increased investment in scientific research and the establishment of regional science diplomacy initiatives to promote knowledge exchange, sustainable energy solutions, and innovation-driven development.

During the symposium, Amro Badr, Researcher and Fusion Engineer at ITER, discussed the growing significance of fusion energy and the need for closer cooperation between Arab and Western institutions to accelerate advancements in this field.

Dr. Tim Luce, Head of Science and Operations and Chief Scientist at ITER, elaborated on the benefits and vast potential of fusion energy, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in sustainable energy development.

Prof. Tony Donné, CEO of EUROfusion and Senior Director of European Fusion Research, reviewed Europe’s progress in fusion power generation, shedding light on key European Union fusion projects.

Prof. Steven Cowley, Director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Professor of Fusion Science at Princeton University, outlined the challenges and opportunities of achieving fusion power and discussed Princeton’s ongoing research and advisory work with U.S. policymakers, including the White House, on fusion energy.

Meanwhile, Andrew Holland, Executive Director of the Fusion Industry Association, spoke about accelerating fusion energy development through private sector investment alongside public funding, underscoring the need for strong public-private partnerships to achieve fusion energy sooner.

The symposium, moderated by Prof. Lutfi Al-Sharif, Vice President of HTU, concluded with remarks from Prof. Ismael Al-Hinti, President of Al Hussein Technical University, who expressed his appreciation to the distinguished speakers and researchers for sharing their expertise. He reaffirmed HTU’s commitment to advancing research and development in the field of fusion energy and supporting national and regional innovation efforts in clean and sustainable technologies.