Beirut, September 15, 2026 – As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, ESA Business School organized a discussion on its Beirut campus with Mr. Pierre Duquesne, former French Ambassador, on the theme: “What Kind of Diplomacy Do We Want, Can We Practice, and Must We Pursue in the 21st Century?”
Moderated by Mr. Hadi El Assaad, Advisor to the School’s General Director, the conference brought together more than 150 participants to discuss the role of diplomacy in today’s world.
The conference was part of a series of events organized by ESA Business School to mark its anniversary. Through this initiative, the School continues its commitment to fostering dialogue and debate on the major issues shaping contemporary societies and organizations.
The event began with a welcome address for participants, followed by a tribute to Mr. Hadi El Assaad, founder of Institute for Finance and Governance (IFG). This moment highlighted his career and his contribution to the creation of IFG, a leading governance center in Lebanon that supports organizations in adopting best practices and contributes to thought leadership on economic, financial, and institutional issues. The tribute was attended by numerous partners, colleagues, and stakeholders engaged in the fields of governance, finance, and institutional development.
Mr. Pierre Duquesne then took part in a discussion dedicated to the diplomatic challenges of the 21st century. During a distinguished career marked by senior responsibilities within the French administration and several international institutions, he notably served as France’s Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank before being appointed Ambassador of France to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Through events such as this, ESA Business School celebrates three decades of activity and contribution to education, dialogue, and reflection on major economic, managerial, and societal issues. The event also provided an opportunity to address these issues through an exchange with a distinguished figure who has held significant diplomatic and international responsibilities.