Geopolitics of Infrastructures: Soft Power through Hard Assets | ESSEC Webinaire

🎙️ Our featured speakers involve: Julien MICHEL - Managing-Director for Energy & Transportation, Natixis Denis SIMONNEAU - Diplomat, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Former Director for International Affairs and Executive Committee Member, Engie Mounir CORM - Directeur général adjoint et associé-fondateur de Vauban Infrastructure partners Holy RANAIVOZANANY - Deputy Executive Director, Africa-Europe Foundation Introduction by Prof. Cédomir Nestorovic, Academic Co-Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business and Director. Moderated and concluded by Thomas Friang, Executive Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business. In today’s fragmented global order, infrastructure has become a geopolitical battleground. From energy corridors to digital backbones and high-speed transport routes, the contest to build, control, and connect is as strategic as it is physical. The European Union’s Global Gateway and China’s Belt and Road Initiative exemplify this new diplomacy of steel and fiber optics. In this webinar, we will explore how infrastructures shape influence—and how influence, in turn, enables infrastructure leadership. ------------ The ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business explores how geopolitical disruptions are reshaping economic models and how corporate actors are increasingly involved in geopolitical dynamics. The Institute aims to develop more resilient, competitive, and geopolitically aware business strategies. It also examines how market mechanisms are being transformed by state-driven or state-aligned corporate power. Anchored in ESSEC’s academic excellence and global presence in Cergy-Paris, Singapore, and Rabat, the Institute positions the school as a leading voice at the intersection of geopolitics and business, through research, pedagogical innovation, knowledge development, and organizational transformation. ------------ 00:00:00 : Introduction by Cédomir NESTOROVIC 00:05:24 : Mounir CORM 00:10:16 : Julien MICHEL 00:13:51 : Holy RANAIVOZANANY 00:18:10 : Denis SIMONNEAU 00:28:26 : Mounir CORM 00:38:23 : Julien MICHEL 00:41:37 : Holy RANAIVOZANANY 00:47:55 : Denis SIMONNEAU 00:56:10 : :Discussion & Q/A 01:14:17 : Closing Remarks & Acknowledgements --- 📅 *New videos every week* Subscribe to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/ESSEC 🔹 *Who are we?* Founded in 1907 in Paris, ESSEC Business School is an institution of higher education guided by the pursuit of academic excellence in teaching and research. Its distinctiveness stems from the pioneering spirit of the members of its community and its core values – humanism, responsibility, innovation and openness - that shape its scientific ambitions and pedagogical approach. 🔹 *Our mission* The mission of ESSEC Business School, a world school with French roots, is to infuse leadership with meaning in order to prepare leaders ready to address contemporary economic, environmental and social challenges. In order to do so, it produces innovative and relevant knowledge to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills, know-how and savoir-être that will make them truly responsible, inclusive and respectful of the environment. 🔹 *The channel* explore ✅ Testimonies, ✅ Conferences, seminars, webinars ✅ Programs informations and updates. (Master in Management, MBA, Executive Education, PhD, and more) 🌍 *Connect with us:* Official Website: https://www.essec.edu/ ESSEC Knowledge website: https://knowledge.essec.edu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essecbs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essec LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/essec-business-school/ 💬 *Engage with us:* Like, comment, and share our videos!