Welcome to Edinburgh and this second symposium on the plant life of SW Asia, supported by the University of Edinburgh, the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. It is fifteen years since the first symposium was held as part of the Garden's tercentenary and now at this occasion you have an opportunity to consider progress, to renew old friendships and to make new ones. That should be easy, for the list of participants shows a wonderful representation from all the countries of SW Asia and also of the institutes in Europe and America involved in SW Asian studies. Unfortunately, not all of our friends are here for since we last met we have lost quite a few: we particularly miss Professor Michael Zohary and Professor Per Wendelbo, who died alas, a relatively young man, far too soon.