As part of the MSc International Business, EMLV hosted a conference dedicated to the geopolitics of energy, led by Thierry Pflimlin, former senior executive at TotalEnergies. The session provided a strategic analysis of energy markets in the context of current geopolitical dynamics.
This session contributed to the pedagogical approach of the MSc International Business by connecting theoretical frameworks with current geopolitical developments.
Understanding energy geopolitics in a shifting global context
Organised by Muhammad Atif Khan, Associate Professor and Head of the International Business programme, this workshop was designed for MSc International Business students seeking to grasp better the links between energy resources, global power balances and economic stability.
In a context marked by geopolitical tensions, energy remains a central variable in international relations, industrial development and public policy.
Thierry Pflimlin’s intervention focused on the structural role of energy in the global economy. By combining economic analysis with geopolitical mapping, the conference highlighted how access to resources, transport routes and pricing mechanisms interact with political crises and strategic rivalries.
During Thierry Pflimlin’s intervention
Mapping global energy resources and geopolitical tensions
A key component of the session relied on cartographic analysis. Thierry Pflimlin presented an overview of global energy resources and their geographic distribution, drawing clear connections between areas of production, zones of tension and regions affected by conflict.
Shipping routes for oil and gas, including maritime chokepoints such as the Suez Canal, illustrated how geopolitical instability directly affects energy flows and market volatility.
Historical comparisons between oil price fluctuations and major political crises provided additional perspective. These elements helped frame energy not as an isolated sector, but as a core dimension of the current “state of the world,” closely linked to diplomacy, security and economic resilience.
Energy transition, demand and strategic trade-offs
The discussion also addressed the challenges of energy transition from a global standpoint. Thierry Pflimlin explained how major energy companies navigate the tension between long-term investment in renewable energies and the persistence of strong global demand for oil and gas.
Using TotalEnergies as an example, he outlined how diversification strategies coexist with the need to ensure energy supply in the short and medium term.
The analysis highlighted the decisive role of major economies. The United States, China, and India were identified as key actors in any large-scale transition scenario, owing to their demographic weight, industrial capacity, and energy consumption levels.
The session underlined that national efforts, particularly those of smaller or medium-sized countries, must be understood within a broader international framework to assess their real impact.
China’s rapid expansion of electric mobility and renewable capacity was discussed as both an industrial and geopolitical issue. At the same time, recent policy orientations in the United States raised questions about the pace and direction of the global transition.
Muhammad Atif Khan, Associate Professor and Head of the International Business programme and Thierry Pflimlin.
Energy as a strategic pillar of global economies
One of the central ideas developed during the conference was the strategic role of energy in modern economies. Affordable, reliable, and abundant energy sources remain a priority for all major economic powers, as they underpin industrial competitiveness, economic growth, and social stability. This reality reinforces the strong interdependence between energy markets and geopolitical decision-making.
By linking energy strategies to international relations, the conference provided participants with analytical tools to better understand how geopolitical risk, market regulation and corporate strategy intersect in the energy sector.
Thierry Pflimlin’s international executive perspective
Thierry Pflimlin drew on nearly 35 years at TotalEnergies, where he held several senior leadership positions, including Director General of Marketing & Services, Director General Asia Pacific, Director General Germany, and member of the Executive Committee.
His career path, spanning Europe, Asia and Africa, offered a global operational perspective on energy markets and international strategy.
Beyond his corporate career, he currently serves as President of the association Coup de Pouce, which works to prevent early school failure and supports more than 10,000 children each year across over 250 municipalities in France and overseas territories.
Linking Geopolitics and International Business Education
This conference highlights the MSc in International Business’s educational approach at EMLV. The program is designed to prepare students from various academic backgrounds for managerial roles in international business development, product management, and related fields.
By incorporating geopolitical and cultural analysis into its curriculum, the program equips future managers to navigate complex, uncertain international environments shaped by digitalisation and global interdependence.
