On October 3, 2025, the French Overseas Academy of Sciences hosted a special session of the “French Overseas Territories” series, dedicated to the next generation of the DROM-COM regions. Coordinated by Matthias Leridon, Partner-President of Tilder and member of the Academy’s 3rd Section, and chaired by Christine Desouches, this meeting brought together economic stakeholders, experts, and young leaders from the overseas territories.
In his introduction, Matthias Leridon called for moving beyond the simplistic stereotypes that still too often confine France’s overseas territories to the dichotomy of “exotic paradise” versus “vulnerable regions.” He highlighted their fundamental role in France’s global power: the world’s second-largest maritime domain, the Kourou spaceport, and military bases stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Without them, France would not be a leading maritime, space, and cultural power.
Overseas youth took center stage during this session. The Institut Choiseul’s “40 Under 40 Overseas 2024” ranking highlighted this energy, with five leaders sharing their stories:
- Simon Cazal (Réunion), CEO of SFLP;
- Hairia Ibrahim (Mayotte), founder of Baobab Partner Global Advisory;
- Sébastien Luissaint (Guadeloupe), President and Founder of Myditek;
- Jean-Baptiste Sandoz (Saint Pierre and Miquelon), CEO of Company Project;
- Florence Turiaf (Martinique), Founder of Mon Assistant Virtuel.
“The future of the overseas territories is not a peripheral issue. It is inseparable from the future of France.”