The TREC-Network, which developed the DESERTEC Concept, has achieved a great deal since the first edition of the WhiteBook was presented to the European Parliament! It has – with mounting support by others – brought the DESERTEC Concept to the attention of policy makers throughout EUMENA and also worldwide. In the recently established Union for the Mediterranean, the French Presidency has put the DESERTEC Concept on their political agenda.

The Solar Plan of the Union for the Mediterranean is a powerful political structure. However, to exploit its great potential, we still have to overcome barriers and win the race against the climate change clock. We need a plan with the spirit, boldness and imagination of the Apollo Program that put astronauts on the Moon. The WhiteBook has already made clear that the technology is there. All that is needed now to make the DESERTEC concept a reality is a political commitment and appropriate investments and funding. We expect that the new US-Administration will strongly prioritize the use of solar thermal energy as a solution to the climate and energy crisis. This should create an initiative for countries such as India, China, and Australia, who have optimal conditions for CSP-Plants, to take similar actions.

To strengthen and intensify the initiatives and endeavours of the TREC-Network, we have – with support from His Royal Highness Prince Hassan bin Talal and the German Association for the Club of Rome – created a new organization called the DESERTEC Foundation (DF) which is based in Berlin, Germany.

Other Co-Founders are: Jörn, Nils und Pierre Aldag, Germany; Christian Breyer, Germany; Dr. Klaus Burghard, Germany; Prof. Dr. Michael Düren, Germany; Dr. Ing. Hani El Nokraschy, Egypt & Germany; Friedrich Führ, Dubai; Gisela and Sebastian Gallehr, Germany; Polly Higgins, United Kingdom; Dipl.-Ing. Taco Holthuizen, Germany; Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hueck, Germany; Tim Hufermann, Germany; Dr. Gerhard Knies, Germany; Dr. Wolfgang Knothe, Germany; Mouldi Miled, Tunesia; Tobias Morell, Germany; Abdel Hamied Moussa, Germany; Stephan Schoenen, Germany; Max Schön, Germany; Götz Schuchart, Brasil; Christian Steinberg, Germany; Dr. Oliver Steinmetz, Luxembourg; Michael Straub, Germany;  Stewart Taggart, Australia; Dr. Gerhard Timm, Germany; Dr. Gerry Wolff, United Kingdom.