Scientists seek bridge over political divide.

Chemical scientists from across the Middle East gathered in Malta last month for what was billed as a unique and ground-breaking symposium designed to demonstrate to the region's national governments how common professional interests can transcend political and cultural differences.

Six Nobel laureates turned up to address the international audience during five days of plenary lectures, poster sessions and workshops under the umbrella of Frontiers of chemical sciences: research and education in the Middle East - a bridge to peace.

The region provided representatives from Egypt, Israel, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian National Authority, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Until the opening ceremony it was not clear whether everyone would overcome the difficulties associated with travel in the region. In the end, nearly 50 leading chemists turned up, with delegates from the US, Europe and Asia joining those from the Middle East.

'We intend to capture the attention of governments by inviting their best-qualified chemical scientists to discuss shared environmental, health and educational challenges,' announced the American Chemical Society, which organised the event. Cosponsorship came from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Delegates heard how the chemical sciences occupy a central position in the world economy, offering the possibility to cultivate mutual understanding through joint research projects and economic development.

Challenges to the region include water purification, waste disposal, protection of the atmosphere and the adoption of best practices for a sustainable chemical industry.

In contrast to the growing political and economic strife between nations in the region, the organising committee drew attention to the way that scientific communities share a common culture across international borders: 'Precedents from the Cold War such as the Pugwash Conferences show that scientists from opposite sides of a conflict can forge relationships that bridge chasms of distrust and intolerance.'

Endorsement for the aims came from the Nobel laureates, who included Yuan T. Lee, president of Academia Sinica in Taiwan and scientific adviser to the country's president; and Jean-Marie Lehn, from the Université Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg.

Work will now start on setting up a regional database and website. Regional workshops will begin to address the issues of chemical education, and the need for free online access to journals. The second conference has been pencilled in for 2005.

Stanley Langer