The governing body of the ITER Organization, the ITER Council, convenes for its sixth meeting in Suzhou, China, on 16-17 June. All Members of the ITER collaboration reiterate their support for the project, commending the progress that has been achieved.

"Thanks to tremendous efforts from both the ITER Organization and the Domestic Agencies, about 60 percent of the global Procurement Arrangements for ITER have already been concluded," Director-General Kaname Ikeda said in his opening comments.

"In bringing ITER this far, we have together had to face many daunting challenges. With full mutual understanding, good will and family spirit, we have no doubt that we shall be able to find the best way forward to serve our common objective to secure the complete success of this remarkable project," commented José Manuel Silva Rodríguez, Head of the European Delegation.

The construction of the first ITER buildings is expected to start in August 2010.