African Physical Society Resolution and Communique

RESOLUTION

We, African participants at the ^6th Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI) Conference on Physics and Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa, iThemba Laboratories, South Africa, 23-26 January 2007:

Recognize the existence, since 1983, of the Society of African Physicists and Mathematicians (SAPAM);

Commend the invaluable contributions of SAPAM to the development of Basic Sciences and Technology in Africa;

Appreciate the selfless sacrifices of SAPAM Executive Committee members both past and present; especially, SAPAM President, Professor F.K.A. Allotey, and SAPAM General Secretary, Dr. Akintayo Adedoyin;

Note the needs and merits for the establishment of a pan-African organization to promote the physical sciences on the continent;

Resolve, with the consent of SAPAM Executive Committee, that SAPAM be restructured to enable easy transformation into becoming the African Physical Society (AFPS);

Task the African members of EBASI Council with the responsibility of overseeing this transformation and acting as an interim Executive Committee for AFPS until the 7^th EBASI International Conference;

Expect a full report from the interim Executive Committee, leading to the inauguration of AFPS at the 7^th EBASI International Conference.

6^th EBASI CONFERENCE, iTHEMBA LABS, SOUTH AFRICA 23-26 JANUARY 2007 COMMUNIQUE

We, participants at the 6^th Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI) Conference on Physics and Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa, iThemba Laboratories, South Africa, 23­26 January 2007:

1. Note the impressive participation of 220 scientists from 27 African countries;
2. Launched the journal – African Physical Review;
3. Resolve to establish the African Physical Society;
4. Launched the African Nanotechnology Network (NANOAFNET);
5. Launched ASDA – Network of Accelerators for Sustainable Development in Africa;
6. Moved the head office of EBASI to Africa;
7. Note the high level of scientific research in Africa as evidenced through the conference presentations;
8. Authorise the EBASI Council to do all necessary to further encourage the promotion of science and technology in Africa;
9. Appreciate the efforts of the leadership of iThemba Labs, South Africa in hosting the 6^th EBASI Conference;
10. Acknowledge the financial and other forms of support from:

• The Government and people of the Republic of South Africa,
• The Director and Management of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics;
• The United States National Science Foundation,
• South Africa Department of Science and Technology,
• South Africa National Research Foundation,
• The Director and Management of the iThemba Labs, South Africa,
• African Institute of Mathematical Sciences, South Africa,
• Clark-Atlanta University, USA,
• Academy of Sciences for the Developing World,
• Africa Academy of Sciences,
• South Africa CSIR,
• South Africa NECSA,
• Africa Laser Centre,
• UNESCO,
• International Atomic Energy Agency

11. Accept the invitation of Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal, to host the 7^th EBASI Conference