On 9-10 November 2006, Tunis Science City hosted the second NAMES meeting where the five founding members signed the Memoranda of Understanding marking the official launch of NAMES network. The five members formed NAMES first Board of Directors, electing Ms. Hoda Elmikaty—then Director of the Planetarium Science Center, Egypt; currently Deputy Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina—President of NAMES.

NAMES Founding Members were:

1. The Planetarium Science Center, Egypt
2. The Scientific Center of Kuwait
3. Tunis Science City, Tunisia
4. Turkey Science Centers Foundation
5. Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Science and Technology Center (SciTech), KSA