AMMAN — HRH Prine El Hassan Bin Talal on Monday attended the inauguration of the new Turkish soft X-ray PhotoElectron Spectroscopy (TXPES) beamline at Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) in Balqa’s Allan area.

 

The TXPES beamline represents a strategic addition to the SESAME centre, where this advanced technology is used worldwide in research ranging from new materials and solar cells to semiconductors, surface reactions and nanomaterials, making TXPES a “cutting-edge” platform that benefits a wide scientific community across the region.

 

Representatives from countries across the Middle East, Europe and Asia attended the event, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

During a meeting held on the occasion, Prince Hassan highlighted the crucial role of joint scientific institutions in fostering regional cooperation, enhancing human security, and supporting sustainable development, while drawing attention to the challenges facing the Middle East.

 

The prince stressed that science and scientific diplomacy offer the most effective means to overcome crises, build trust, and promote stability.

 

“Science offers a path to a future where technology is safely managed and innovation benefits human dignity,” he said.

 

SESAME centre is the first third-generation synchrotron light source in the Middle East and North Africa.

 

Since its inauguration in 2017, the centre has stood as the region’s first hub of scientific excellence, offering a cutting-edge research environment that brings together scientists from across the Middle East and works to curb the migration of skilled professionals.

 

Each year, SESAME welcomes hundreds of researchers and students from across the region, offering them the opportunity to carry out pioneering research in fields ranging from medicine and biology to physics, environmental science, archaeology, and other advanced disciplines.

 

Prince El Hassan drew attention to the conclusions of a joint workshop held in Amman in April by the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).

 

He added that NTI underlined the value of incorporating nuclear security within a comprehensive humanitarian framework addressing the interconnections of water, energy, food and the environment, known as the WEFE Nexus, to support regional security and build more resilient communities.

 

The prince underlined that collaborative scientific work, such as the SESAME model, serves as an effective means to ease regional tensions and foster mutual trust among the peoples and countries of the Middle East.

 

Prince El Hassan also toured the centre’s facilities, observing the latest scientific technologies and innovations, and emphasised Jordan’s key role as a regional centre for science, technology, and capacity-building.

 

“This meeting marks the beginning of a new journey. From Amman, we can embark on a new model of scientific cooperation that serves peace and development in our region and beyond,” he said.