The present status of the ITER project is summarised in terms of progress made on its scientific, engineering and safety/environmental characteristics and of its position in world-wide fusion development. The selection of materials and joining technologies for ITER is discussed, with emphasis on materials choices and test results for in-vessel components. Progress of major R&D projects to validate the technologies is presented. The future prospects for ITER are considered. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.