Commission supports SESAME project

The European Commission and CERN have agreed to support the construction of SESAME, the Synchrotron light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East. SESAME will allow researchers from the region to investigate the properties of advanced materials, biological processes and cultural artefacts.

SESAME is a unique joint venture based in Jordan that brings together scientists from its members Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority and Turkey. Alongside its scientific aims, the project aims to promote peace in the region through scientific co-operation.

Commenting on the announcement, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, said: “We are very happy to join forces with CERN to support one of the most exciting scientific projects in the Middle East. The SESAME facility will not only offer researchers from the region state-of-the-art facilities, it will draw attention to the big advances that can be achieved in the region through peaceful co-operation.”

The Commission will contribute €5m, allowing CERN, working with SESAME, to supply magnets for a brand new electron storage ring. The EU institution has already contributed more than €3m to the project through the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument and by supporting the SESAME networking, computing and data handling systems.

It is expected that SESAME will begin operating in 2015.