TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is hosting the prestigious International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC) for the first time, drawing nearly 1,000 experts from 37 countries to Taipei.

National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) said the six-day conference reflects Taiwan’s growing role in accelerator science, with more than 80 keynotes, 1,000 poster presentations, and over 70 industry exhibitors, per CNA.

In his opening remarks, NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) noted the broad applications of particle accelerators – from medical diagnostics and cancer treatment to drug development and energy innovation. “About one-third of Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry are related to accelerator research,” he said, per UDN.

Wu explained that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry powers AI systems worldwide, thanks to decades of investment in design and manufacturing. He added that the government is expanding research into areas such as materials science, space, and robotics to stay ahead of global trends.

Taiwan is also integrating accelerator technologies into efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Wu stressed the need for international research partnerships and interdisciplinary talent to drive innovation and sustainability.

Local achievements are on display at the conference’s Taiwan pavilion, including heavy-ion therapy technology from Taipei Veterans General Hospital. The hospital showcased a model of its cancer treatment center and explained how particle beams target specific tumor types.

IPAC will run from Sunday to Friday at Taipei International Convention Center and is organized by the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center.