About SESAME Launch of SESAME

It has been two and a half years since the convening of the 3rd IC SESAME Council in Amman under the patronage of H. M. King Abdullah II and in the presence of H.E. the Director General of UNESCO Mr. Matsuura in June 2000. During that council meeting the decision to choose Jordan as the site for SESAME was taken. Indeed, it has been proven that the decision was sound resulting in pushing forward the efforts to establish SESAME.

Our meeting today is a testimony to this fact, as we are celebrating the ground-breaking ceremony for the building complex to house SESAME. Persistent efforts of all IC member countries and UNESCO's support have all culminated in establishing this distinguished scientific center.

Since June 2000, many cornerstones have been laid out for the establishment of SESAME. To name a few, the General Conference of UNESCO in its 31st session recommended in its Resolution 31C-19 the establishment of SESAME under the auspices of UNESCO. UNESCO's Executive Board in its 164th session held in May 2002 approved that resolution. In addition the German Government has agreed officially to donate BESSY I equipment to the SESAME project and has taken concrete steps to dismantle BESSY I equipment and ship it to Jordan. I am pleased to report that the equipment has arrived and now resides at Al-Zarqa Free Zone ready for installation. In addition, during the eighth IC meeting held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in July 2002, the IC council approved the statutes and rules of procedure for SESAME thereby setting the grounds for the official birth of SESAME which we are witnessing today.

Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

We are meeting today in this hall on a positive note to send a message of peace, harmony and prosperity to this troubled region and the world at large. The good spirit of all of you, your enlightened vision and determination will soon give light to SESAME shining as a ray of hope, a sign of goodwill and prosperity. Our optimism that SESAME will be a great step forward for the middle east region as an advanced center for science and technology enhancing peace and stability in this region is definitely fulfilled in announcing the birth of SESAME today. The prompt response of seven countries namely Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Isreal, Jordan the Palestinian Authority and Turkey to D.G.'s invitation to officially join SESAME is a testimony of your willingness to bring progress and prosperity to this region and direct the potential and energy of its scientists, and experts towards constructive efforts to a better life for its peoples. We are already witnessing the fruits of this endavour through the several workshops that have already been held with the participation of scientists from different countries of the region and the international community at large. The most recent being held in October 2002 at Al-Balqa' Applied University entitled " The ASIAN Science Seminar on Synchrotron Radiation Science" organized and sponsored by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and High Energy Accelerators Research Organization in Japan".

All of these activities will definitely set the grounds for a sound scientific base in this region and enhance its capacity to venture into high technology projects in the future. Indeed for Jordan this initative is in line with the national efforts championed by H. M. King Abdullah II to move the country forward into the information age and establish Jordan as the IT hub of the middle east region.

Finally, special gratitude goes to all who have contributed to the success we are celebrating today. On top of all, thanks to H.M. King Abdullah II who has persistently supported SESAME and initiated the efforts to include Jordan as one of the founding members of SESAME. The Government of Jordan headed by H.E. Eng. Ali Abu Al-Ragheb deserves special gratitutde for agreeing to incur the cost of constructing the building through its National Economic and Social Reform Program.

To D.G. Matsurra, his intervening to maintain the momentum of SESAME forward and mobilizing UNESCO's resources during the last three years, stepping in, whenever problems were encountered and circumventing them are all deeply appreciated.

Professor Herwig Schopper's tireless efforts in managing the project and his masterfull skills in conducting the IC council meetings have been critical in acheiving progress for SESAME.

Special thanks are due to the Jordanian Government and Al-Balqa' Applied University, in particular to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Balqa' University Prince Ghazi Ben Mohammed for constructing the SESAME building and expediting all issues relevant to SESAME.

Indeed this would have not been possible without the generous donation of the BESSY I equipment by the German Government.

It is a happy day for Jordan, the Middle East and UNESCO and May God Bless You All.

Prof. Khaled Toukan
Ministry of Education
January 6th , 2003