The Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris hosted Lord John Prescott, former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Jeroen van der Veer, former Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell, for a discussion moderated by Renaud Girard. The event brought together political and business perspectives on the challenges of governance, economics, and energy in a rapidly changing world.

Lord Prescott drew on his long political career to reflect on Britain’s domestic and international policies, as well as the need for effective multilateralism to tackle global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and regional instability. Van der Veer, with his extensive experience in leading one of the world’s largest energy corporations, explored the shifting dynamics of global energy markets, the pressure to adapt to new sources of energy, and the geopolitical implications of resource dependency.

By bringing together voices from politics and industry, the meeting allowed for a nuanced exchange on how governments and corporations can work in tandem to address long-term challenges. CPFA reaffirmed its role as a forum for bridging perspectives between the public and private sectors, emphasising the strategic importance of both leadership and innovation in shaping the future.