The IAEA’s World Fusion Outlook aims to be the global reference for authoritative information and updates on fusion energy — a potentially unlimited, clean energy source, which can contribute to diversification of energy generation in the long term. The IAEA has been promoting fusion energy research and development for almost 70 years, and it continues to strongly support research and development and future deployment by bringing the fusion community together to create solutions for both scientific and technological challenges. This third issue of the publication presents a selection of recent achievements in fusion energy, outlines some of the dozens of fusion plant concepts currently at various stages of development worldwide, highlights global efforts in fusion energy development and discusses for the first time the global outlook for fusion energy deployment. As a special focus topic, this edition of the publication explores high temperature superconductors and their potential role in the commercialization of fusion energy.