The SESAME project

SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) is a third-generation synchrotron light source under construction near Amman (Jordan), which is expected to become operational in 2015. SESAME will foster scientific and technological excellence in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, build scientific bridges between neighbouring countries, and foster mutual understanding through international co-operation. The current members of SESAME are Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority and Turkey. An overview about the progress of the facility and the general plan will be given in this paper. We will then focus on the control system by explaining how this aspect is managed: the technical choices, the principal deadlines, the local staff, the international virtual control team, and the first results. (authors)