“SESAME: the brightest light in the Middle East.”

The impact of advanced light sources on science and society in the developing world on addressing national and global concerns cannot be underestimated. Through collective brainpower and constructive partnerships and collaborations, establishment of light sources has led to a myriad of success stories and worldwide recognition. Among them is the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East, SESAME – the first and only facility of its kind in the Middle East and neighboring regions. Its current Members are Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine and Türkiye. With Brazil, Canada, China (People’s Republic of), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are observers.



SESAME, the most brilliant example on science diplomacy, seeks establishing the Excellency of Science and technology, human capacity building, brain-drain reversal, gender-gap enrichment, and facilitating a certain kind of peace and understanding in such a tempestuous region. SESAME is as well considered as a role model in action for the African scientific community through the tangible vision that Africa must receive its analogous situation as a leader within the global scientific arenas becomes more evident opening the door to launch a world-class large scale research infrastructure, heal the brain-drain challenge, address both local and regional concerns, as well as being a vehicle for economy. From this perspective, it can – and will- show credible contributions in improving and advancing societies.

In an attempt to grow various communication channels with established light sources facilities, a recent Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the AfLS Foundation and SESAME. With such a cooperation, many efforts are being amplified aiming at building stronger communities that will be able to deal with scientific and economic challenges - and hopefully beyond.



The presentation will emphasize the significant need of such a facility to the African continent, and the taken actions to date, including joint efforts with SESAME.