This paper summarizes the results presented at the 20th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference 2004 in the sessions on confinement, plasma–material interactions and innovative confinement concepts. The highlights of the presentations are as follows. Long pulse operation has been achieved with high beta and high bootstrap fraction for periods much longer than the current diffusion time. The discharge scenario optimization and its extrapolation towards ITER have progressed remarkably. Significant progress has been made in the understanding of global confinement and transport physics. Progress has also been made in material and retention/migration studies. These results will greatly contribute to ITER and the ultimate goal of fusion power generation.
The impact of improved confinement on fusion research