The principal instruments for institutional participation in SESAME are Membership and Observer status and, following a Decision taken at the 37th Council meeting in December 2020 (37 C/Decision 5), Associate Membership.
There are two categories of Associate Members.
One, Observer cum Associate Member, is limited to states and international organizations having held Observer Status at the time of introduction of Associate Membership wishing to intensify their institutional links with SESAME.
The second, Prospective Member, is an optional stepping stone to full Membership, which allows an entity interested in becoming a Member to first better familiarize itself with the governance and activity of SESAME. It is a status that is limited to an entity not holding, or having held, institutional relations with SESAME since its establishment in April 2004, and is one that may be held for a maximum period of three years.
The current Members are Cyprus, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine, and Türkiye.
The current Associate Member is Germany, which is an Observer cum Associate Member.
The current Observers are Brazil, Canada, China (People’s Republic of), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the European Union (EU), France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH), Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Through the SESAME Council, the Members of SESAME have full control over the development and exploitation of the Centre, and its financial matters. They have Benefits and Obligations.
Associate Members take part in the meetings of SESAME’s governing bodies but have no decision-making powers. A Prospective Member is, however, entitled to participate in straw votes at the Finance Committee. The Benefits and Obligations of the Associate Members are, in many cases, similar to those of the Members, and they participate in the activities of SESAME to a degree that is commensurate with that of the Members. They contribute at a reduced rate to SESAME’s annual operational budget.
Observers have no duties, and their role is more that of an advisory one. They also promote SESAME on the global stage, help organize scientific activities, and offer political support as required. They enjoy some key privileges, for example, they may submit proposals for discussion at Council meetings, their nationals may hold staff positions at SESAME, and invitations to tender for the procurement of equipment and supplies are, whenever possible, extended to manufacturers and contractors located within their territories.
Each Member, Associate Member, and Observer may have up to two Delegates serving on the SESAME Council, ideally one representing his/her Governmental Authorities and the second representing its national scientific interests. Both Delegates are nominated by their Governmental Authorities. They may be accompanied to Council meetings by up to two Advisers.
How to become a Member/Associate Member/Observer is explained on this web site.