Nobel laureates have created a US$ 10 million (EUR 7.5 million) fund for sustainable science development in the Middle East. The new fund was announced during the 3rd Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates held in Petra, Jordan on 15-16 May 2007.

Initially, the fund will support Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian scientists before expanding to other countries in the Middle East. Solving water shortages will be one of the areas of research.

The fund is made up of donations from the private sector and will be administered by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development.

Related news: Middle East: scientists are cooperating over water issues, Source Weekly, 1 Nov 2006

Web site: Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates

Contact: King Abdullah II Fund for Development, Jordan, info@kafd.jo, http://www.kafd.jo/

Source: SciDev.Net, 21 May 2007

Tags: water resources management