The Global Executive MBA and International MBA programmes of KEDGE Business School organised an online conference on February 6, 2025, dedicated to the analysis of multilateralism, a central topic in the contemporary architecture of international relations.
This event featured two leading experts: Ambassador François Rivasseau and Mr. Marc Cathelineau. Their discussions shed light on the historical, structural, and situational challenges of global governance while exploring the strategic implications for both state and non-state actors.
Multilateralism in the face of global transformations
The intensification of interdependencies, exacerbated by the complexity of transnational issues, necessitates a critical reassessment of multilateral mechanisms. The conference emphasised the urgent need for reforms aimed at strengthening the legitimacy, efficiency, and resilience of international institutions. Pandemics, climate crises, and geopolitical tensions require a cooperative approach adapted to a multipolar international system.
Cross Perspectives: Diplomatic, political, and economic approaches
François Rivasseau: an institutionalist reading of multilateralism
Ambassador François Rivasseau is currently a senior professor (International Relations and International Business Environment) at KEDGE, diplomatic advisor to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), and a senior consultant in diplomacy and new technologies at the World Intellectual Property Organisation. In 2022, he was elected Vice President representing the European region during negotiations at the World Health Organization (WHO) on pandemic preparedness and response. From September 2018, he served as France’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and represented France at the WHO and its governing bodies until September 2021.
François Rivasseau has developed an in-depth analysis of the institutional dynamics of multilateralism. His presentation highlighted the inherent tensions in collective governance and the challenges of decision-making in an environment marked by growing power asymmetries. He particularly emphasised the need for greater inclusion of non-state actors in multilateral processes.
Marc Cathelineau: Multilateralism through the lens of economic dynamics
An engineer graduated from ENSAM and holder of an MBA from HEC and Wharton (USA), Marc Cathelineau has 40 years of experience at Thomson-Thales, including 30 years in international business across 40 countries. For 10 years, he served as Senior Vice President of EU-NATO-UN relations and was Chairman of the External Affairs Commission of ASD in Brussels. He is currently President of MCC and an affiliated professor at HEC Paris.
Marc Cathelineau provided a pragmatic perspective on the interaction between multinational companies and the international regulatory framework. His analysis highlighted the effects of multilateralism on economic competitiveness, technological sovereignty, and geopolitical risk management.
Strategic Issues of Contemporary Multilateralism
The discussions converged on several key themes:
- Redefining governance rules: The adaptability of international organisations to global transformations is a central challenge to ensuring their relevance and effectiveness.
- Persistence of power rivalries: Tensions between major powers are reshaping the multilateral landscape, leading to increased fragmentation of strategic alliances.
- The role of non-state actors: The emergence of transnational corporations, NGOs, and civil society institutions as key stakeholders in cooperation processes.
- Innovations in diplomacy: The rise of new technologies is reshaping the modalities of multilateral diplomacy, fostering hybrid approaches that combine virtual interactions with traditional negotiations.
This conference reaffirmed the imperative to reform multilateralism to effectively address new global challenges. The initiative led by KEDGE Business School illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in better understanding the transformations in global governance that directly impact businesses and trade.
