Sciences, inventions, business, technologies

1. Connecting Minds, Creating the Future of the Delta Tech Market
Open Innovation like Sinbad the Sailor
Blue Ocean Entrepreneur like Marco Polo
Fablab like Jules Verne
Kish : New Tiger
of Middle East ?
SCIENCE INVENTION BUSINESS TECH
A Contribution of Celtic Leaders Association at Paris
Muscat
Kish
Dubaï

2. Kevin Marcus LOGNONÉ, Vice-Chairman of Celtic
Leaders Association at Paris
All hearts and minds can create the
bridges and foundations to future
prospects and possibilities.
Generating sustainable solutions to global problems demands
collaboration across cultures and regions. In the meantime,
Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability define the principal drivers
of progress, as Dubai Expo 2020 aims to merger them.
I am a French of the Celtic diaspora. Born in Saint-Malo, front
of Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), my ancestors were
privateers. My family entrepreneurial spirit and legacy gave me a passion for innovation. In 1936, my great
grandfather Theophile LOGNONE noticed in the Bay of St Michael’s Mount that algae and bits of shell
can produce nutritional resources for agrobusiness industry. One year after, his discovery earned him the
first prize at the French ministry of agriculture. For nearly 80 years, three generations have preserved this
independent family business: Calcialiment (110 employees, 4 industrial sites) which became the first French
manufacturer of mineral nutrients and exports over ten countries.
We all share a rich and diverse history to imagine the future. In a globalized world with interconnected
societies, intercultural dialogue is vital if we are to live together while acknowledging our diversity. In an
uncertain world, our future depends more and more on our collective ability to understand and anticipate
changes - through innovation, scientific research and the sharing of knowledge.
Living together, acting together, innovating together the Great
Thalassa of the 21st century.
Xenophon, philosopher and student of Socrates, prepared minds to the possibility and the profits of the
conquests of Alexander the Great, by the success of a cultural diffusion, such as syncretism between Persian
and European cultures. His youthful participation in the campaign of Cyrus the Younger to claim the Persian
throne inspired him to write his most famous work, Anabasis. In his book, he described the cry of the Ten
Thousand, a large army of European mercenaries hired by Cyrus the Younger: “The Sea! The Sea ! Thalassa
! Thalassa !” a destination they greeted with exultation on the mountain of Theches. Through his expedition
to Egypt, Napoleon dreamed of following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, hoping to embarrass the
British, on the maritime road of the East Indies. Not only conquerors paid attention about maritime destiny,
also explorers and traders enlighted this issue. The “Echelles du Levant” referred to trading posts established
on Islamic land in the sixteenth century to the twentieth century by various European countries, under an
agreement starting in 1536 between Suleiman the Magnificent and François Ier, King of France. It was the
first non-ideological diplomatic alliance between an Islamic empire and a Christian empire, known as “the
union of the Crescent and the Lily”. During this prosperous period, a common language was used by the
Levantine sailors and merchants of all nationalities. This “Lingua Franca” was composed in French and latin
bases, with elements of Persian, Arabic and Turkish.
The road of the famous coffee, Mokha, is also a fantastic experience. It started as a trade road from a port city
on the Red Sea coast of Yemen, known for the quality of its arabica coffees transported by small vessels to
Jeddah where Turkish ships embarked it to Suez and Egypt. When European discovered this fabulous drink,
thanks to Venice in 1615 and the opening of the first café in Vienna, Austria, they adapted and duplicated
cultures of Mokha In September 1715, six Mokha coffee plants, offered by the sultan of Yemen to the King
of France, were seeded in different French islands in the Indian Ocean. The French East India Company
organized production, facilitated the purchase of seeds, built barns and roads, offered free concessions.
The book wants to make visible on how we will strive to make collaboration an essential instrument to
deliver. I would like to thank every contributor for its powerful source of inspiration to build tomorrow.
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Michel STEUER, Head of maritime sector at Celtic leaders association at Paris
Abolghasem ZABIHOLLAH, Ph.D, PEng., Assistant Professor, Vice Chancellor for Research and
Development, Sharif University of Technology International Campus on Kish Island
Jacques ROUGERIE, Naval Architect and Oceanographer
Jean-Paul ADAM, Minister of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy of the Seychelles, co-hoster
country of the Blue Economy summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AL MAKTOUM, Vice-President of the UAE, co-hoster
country of the Blue Economy summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Annick GIRARDIN, French Minister of Development, attending at the Blue Economy summit in
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Philippe COCHET, Chairman of the Iranian Caucus at French Parliament
Forough SALAMI, Vice-President of Brittany Region in charge of international affairs
Pierre-Emmanuel MARAIS, Deputy Mayor of Nantes City in charge of linguistic, educational
and pedagogical diversity
Jacques HUCHET, Deputy Mayor of Saint-Malo City in charge of international affairs
François LUCAS, Naval Architect and Alain GRAND GUILLOT, Engineer
Jean-Marie BIETTE, Secretary General of the Sea cluster of Ouest-France Group
Charles-Henri VIEL, Engineer and Founder of Archinaute
Nicolas VENARD, CEO of Crédit Agricole du Finistère and his team driving the Sea Cluster of its
bank
Yonggang LI, President of Europe-China Investment Association & Chief Representative Sichuan
Invest Representative Office in Europe
Olivier PONS, CEO of IDV Air Consulting
Sylvain Koffi SASSE, Owner of Vivaldi Paris. Secretary General of the Agency for Development
of Central and Francophone Africa
Jean-Claude VOISIN, Former Director of the French Institute of Tehran
Ali SALEM, Junior engineer and Virtual reality expert
Ibrahim AL SHIZAWI, Omanese young leader
Ali IMANIPOUR, Co-founder of the Circle of two towers
Mehdi SADEGHPOUR, CEO of First Quest,
SUMMARY
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4. 4
« Seeing a possible where
others see the impossible,
that is the key to success. »
Charles-Albert Poissant

5. Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn
Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Idriss al-
Qurtubi al-Hassani, great geographer,
cartographer and Muslim traveler,
invented the first map of the world which
was one of the most advanced in the
ancient world maps.
It is renowned for writing the famous “Book of Roger” (kitab Rudjâr).
His main inspiration came from two geographers of the pre-
Islamic era: Orosius, a Spanish traveler who developed a descriptive
geography book, and Ptolemy, the greatest geographer of his time. It
seemed important to create a world map as accurate as possible. To
realize I gathered some comments from Persian and Arab merchants
and explorers who until then complained of having unequal map
information and often unusable routes. From the information inherited
from his predecessors and the new data, he could then incorporate
Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Far East in my world map.
In 1139, under the direction of the King Roger II settled in Normandy, France, he led a vast work of investigation and geographical
compilation. He asked to all the merchants or emissaries passage in Palermo, Italy. He committed a grid of specific information
they needed to complete. This is how he collected information about Europe. He also accessed to the diplomatic archives of the
Palace where he draw information on the French provinces, German, Spanish or Italian territories. King Roger II first told him the
implementation of a silver globe, then asked to write a geography book that would comment this globe and contain texts and
illustrations: the Kitab al-Mushtaq nuzhat fî al-khtirâq -afâq (Book entertainment of one who desires to travel the world), better
known as the “Book of Roger”.
In order to achieve an Atlas with a very innovative style, he decided to use a variety of colors for making cards. The names of
countries are in red, the sea is blue with a white net. For lakes and rivers, I use green and blue. The mountains are represented in
several shades of colors ranging from ocher to purple rose. Cities are indicated by gold rosettes. My Atlas describes the country in
a codified manner, with their main cities, roads and borders, seas, rivers and mountains. I commented these cards following routes
as a real guide. I deliver information of any kind, of course geographical, but also economic and commercial, historical and religious,
can be used for all of us.
His cartographic division offered seventy sections are presented with south at the top and he commented that the card can
represent: description of the nature, routes, distances, architecture, commerce, wonders, manners and customs. The information
was important: more than 5000 names of places, rivers and mountains are listed. However, he was aware that, despite all the
information gathered, he could make mistakes ... Let’s make the same prospective exercise for Kish Island in Iran.
Kish Island has a unique situation in the strategic Persian Gulf region among
tens of large and small islands. This island is so beautiful and attractive that
it has become known as the Pearl of the Persian Gulf since ancient times.
Its calm coasts are covered with coral sands that shine in the sunlight, creating a unique and fascinating sight. The clear coastal
waters allow one to view several meters deep into the sea and watch the beautiful movement of the fish. Diverse plants and native
trees, as well as a pleasant climate seven months a year are among the outstanding characteristics of the island.
The island has attracted many visitors, travelers and writers throughout history due to these very characteristics. Among those who
have written in praise of this island are Niarkhous, the Greek navy commander who traveled to Kish in 225 B.C., and wrote about its
beautiful palm fields, Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta and Hamdullah Mostofi, as well as Ms. Fatemeh Al Ali the contemporary Kuwaiti writer
who traveled to Kish and compared the island to a “gem on a king’s crown”.
Let’s explore its potential synergies with Middle East and the rest of the world.
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6. Examples of interregional synergies in Europe
La Rochelle City and Ré Island (French Atlantic Coast) linked with a common airport
Saint-Malo City (Western France) and Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernesey)
linked with Condor ferries
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7. Michel STEUER, Head of maritime sector at Celtic leaders association
at Paris
Kish Island, gem of the Persian Gulf
Kish Island has a unique situation in the strategic Persian Gulf region
among tens of large and small islands. This island is so beautiful and
attractive that it has become known as the Pearl of the Persian Gulf
since ancient times.
Its calm coasts are covered with coral sands that shine in the sunlight,
creating a unique and fascinating sight.
The clear coastal waters allow one to view several meters deep into
the sea and watch the beautiful movement of the fish. Diverse plants
and native trees, as well as a pleasant climate seven months a year are
among the outstanding characteristics of the island.
Theislandhasattractedmanytourists,travelersandwritersthroughouthistoryduetotheseverycharacteristics.
Among those who have written in praise of this island are Niarkhous, the Greek navy commander who traveled
to Kish in 225 B.C., and wrote about its beautiful palm fields, Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta and Hamdullah Mostofi,
as well as Ms. Fatemeh Al Ali the contemporary Kuwaiti writer who traveled to Kish and compared the island
to a “gem on a king’s crown”.
Kish has a long history of about 3,000 years, being called under various names such as Kamtina, Arakia,
Arakata, and Ghiss in the course of time. In 325 BC, Alexander the Great commissioned Niarkus to set off
an expedition voyage into the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Niarkus’s writings indicate that he visited
Araracta in the 4th century BC. His descriptions of Araracta precisely match with the characteristics of Kish.
Once again, greatness, ability, creative power, intention and diligence have appeared in revival of one of the
Iranian Traditions. Those who were living on Kish Island tens of centuries ago, with their Iranian inherent
intelligence in building aqueducts-under ground canal-mostly known as Qanat or Kariz-stroked the coralline
layers of Kish Island in search of potable water, and were rewarded with “fresh water” or “sweet water” as the
people say here. for centuries afterwards, the sweet water of Kish Island not only relieved the thirst of the local
residents, but by exporting it to neighboring state, the local residents could swapping it with sugar or cash.
We want to encourage European investors to focus on the Persian Gulf
Among the investment opportunities and partnership, I advocate a state of hotels and various infrastructure
sites, and so collectively promote the recognition and preservation of the coastline (privileged because of the
island situation). Among the business opportunities, European companies can engage in various challenges:
• Offering services of pipe cleaning companies, sanitation, by biological means.
• Renovating sports and tourist infrastructures.
• Relandscaping around the beaches and in the interests of nature conservation (according to Islamic law).
• Creating a Sea cluster, Creating Marinas for access to boating.
• Establishing collection system and treatment of household waste (organic process landfill).
• Evaluating treatment plants - desalination of sea water for industrial and domestic needs.
• Establishing development and monitoring agency for renewable energy and sustainable development of
the island.
All these actions must be done in partnership and cooperation with the Iranian authorities on the island of
Kish. Many other transfers of French and European stakeholders could be proposed to Kish Island for anymore
collaboration or potential partnership.
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8. Colours of the Persian Gulf
Source : European Space Agency
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9. Abolghasem ZABIHOLLAH, Ph.D, PEng., Assistant Professor, Vice Chancellor
for Research and Development, Sharif University of Technology International
Campus on Kish Island
Persian Gulf is one of the warmest seas in the world
and at the same time it is located in a very strategic
place. This place could a hub for many mutual interests
between Kish and Europe, particularly, tourism,
shipping, marine technologies for warm water and
high-tech industries (due to thousands of young and
talented engineers and scientists).
Imagine while Europe suffering from -20 Celsius degrees in winter time, people enjoy swimming in sea on Kish and on
the same day, by 1 hour flight, they may go for skiing. This unique feature may be a starting point between Kish and
Europe.
Sunny days and sand beaches not only on Kish but also in many other small (like Hendorabi) and big (like Qeshm)
Islands may open a new dialogue between Europe and Persian Gulf.
Kish is connected to fertile and beautiful areas by travelling 200-300 kilometers to the North. Look at the other side of
Persian Gulf where one needs to travel thousands of kilometer to see similar environment.
Persian Gulf is neighboring by desert countries where lack of water is becoming vital in the next years. At the same time
we have almost 330 sunny days in a year. Therefore, technologies related to solar water desalination, solar energy, and
technologies related to saving water, particularly leak detection and prevention would be acknowledged.
Due to the special environment in Persian Gulf, metal corrosion is very crucial, thus, technologies related to corrosion
monitoring and prevention is in high demand.
Persian Gulf is a hub for exporting oil, gas and petrochemical products, resulting in high risk of water pollution. Therefore,
technologies related to oil and gas leakage detection and prevention in vessels would help to save the sea creatures
and ecosystem.
Light marine industries, including, jet skis, small boats, small hovercraft, diving devices and tools may find a good
market in local and neighboring countries, like UAE, Oman, Qatar, Etc.
Universities and research centers located on Kish can make unique
opportunities for recent graduate, innovators to grow up. The market is very
fresh. It means young engineers and innovators facing with less competition.
They need lower money for startup and to build their business.
Another important feature is importing raw materials and technology to Kish is easy. In the other hand, Kish is close to
global market. This facilitates exporting products and business travels.
Investors and entrepreneurs may enjoy living and working in a very calm,
fresh and clean air while expecting to receive a more-than reasonable benefit.
Health industries and tourism may provide a good opportunity for research centers and universities working in
biomedical, medicines, and nursing.
Students studying / working on Kish may enjoy a very safe (physically, sociologically, and culturally) place with
reasonable living standard, making ease of mind for the parents.
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10. 10
« The tears of our sovereigns
have the salty taste of the sea
that they ignored. The warning is
more relevant than ever. »
Richelieu, Co-founder of the Sorbonne University,
Policy Advisor of French King Louis XIII

11. Jacques ROUGERIE, Naval Architect and Oceanographer
Neptune favors the brave ! At the turn of the 21st century, a new generation of
underwater exploration vessels will emerge sonn. Worn by the great ocean currents,
SeaOrbiter will allow a crew of explorers to live 24h / 24 and over long periods in the
heart of the oceans, vast territory still largely unknown. It is the “last land border”.
A vocation mainly scientific, educational and worldwide of this unique vessel in
the world is also a great communication tool for sharing images and continuous
discoveries of his crew.This unique project is supported among others by Ifremer,
NASA and National Geographic. For over 10 years, an international team is working on
the design of SeaOrbiter and gathering funding for its construction and its missions.
To answer these missions, we imagined a ship on many levels, capable of exploring
the ocean surface simultaneously and in great depth.
It is necessary to create tools for reflection to offer men of the world the
opportunity to explore the sea.
Like the international space station continuously manned by an
international crew that is dedicated to scientific research in the
space environment, we must make available to all the nations
the opportunity to explore the world ocean. Educating men
about their role is essential. SeaOrbiter intends to play the role
of sentinel. The Blue Economy can be a unique opportunity, as
evidenced by a recent study by the Boston Consulting Group.
By reviving the pioneering spirit of La Perouse, the Persians, the
Greeks, the Chinese, the Conquistadores who worked for the
glory of a country, the ocean pushes us toward greater openness
because it is the common good of humanity. This resource is
likely to be at the heart of tomorrow’s conflicts. That is why we
must build a collective and peaceful work for its preservation to
better explore the full potential of the future.
Jules Verne was pioneer in the field, he was able with his masterpiece “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” inspired
Jacques-Yves Cousteau who opened thanks to television, the doors of the “World of Silence”. In the tradition of Jules Verne
and Jacques-Yves Cousteau, SeaOrbiter opens a new era of communication on the oceans based on the possibilities
offered by digital technologies such as the modern means of communication (internet, social networking links live satellite
...).
Middle East countries are interested more and more in the valuation of new sea-based resources (biomass, algae culture,
renewable energies ...). Heir of a vast maritime empire up Zanzibar, Sultanate of Oman, the country of Sinbad the Sailor,
develops investment and partnership opportunities in this area. The UAE, Dubai fascinates through its real estate projects
reclaimed from the sea, towers the boldest designs watching the sea horizon, or the metro stations of his futuristic shaped
beads that recall the past and traditions of the fishermen of the region. The Arab World Institute in Paris hosted an exhibition
event from 10 years of underwater excavations, to revive one of the great myths of Egyptian civilization: “The Mysteries
of Osiris” which were celebrated by nautical processions in the cities of Thônis- Heracleion and Canopus in Aboukir Bay.
Oceanopolis, the palace of the sea, which I built in Brest, crab-shaped, intended to offer a tool for understanding on research
and the potential of the oceans. Is it that people can switch? I think so, but it takes generations to adapt. The message we
must carry must be universal. So a scientific diplomacy around the oceans would undoubtedly a handover between Europe
and the Middle East in the context of a post-oil society.
The ocean, which is the heart of the planetary system is both the engine and the lungs of the planet, must be placed at the
center of our daily concerns. We must build a new global socio-economic model incorporating the ocean, responsible and
sustainable manner, as the main source of innovation and solutions (medicine, nutrition, pharmacology, renewables) to
the planet. As the value of progress, SeaOrbiter emblematic of this vessel Blue Society has also vocation to discover new
resources for the benefit of humanity and meeting the challenges ahead. SeaOrbiter is an extraordinary human adventure,
a great source of discovery and a humanistic program or the concept of sharing is fundamental. Peoples have lived in
communion with the sea. They have maintained myths, legends, like the Vikings, Danish, Dutch port cities, Hanseatic
or Lombard. France can become a great people of the sea. The sailors maintain a notion of tribe, network anxious to
safeguard the environment, to amplify biomimicry ideas, to infuse new breath. It is born of the ocean that the fate of future
civilizations.
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12. Jean-Paul ADAM, Minister of Finance, Trade and the Blue
Economy of the Seychelles, co-hoster of the Blue Economy
summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Indian Ocean is an incredibly rich and diverse area where
the great civilisations have converged and have formed an
incredible melting pot yet remaining proud of their respective
culture and history.
Seychelles is fortunate in having such strong links with Europe,
the Gulf region and Asia and these bonds are expected to be
reinvigorated with the development of the Blue Economy.
We have a huge potential to learn from each other. For example,
we have the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the World
Future Energy Summit which are forums that are very useful in
promoting dialogue between the Middle East and the rest of the world on issues of renewable energy.
A vast wealth of knowledge on new and sustainable ocean-based energy
sources which form part of the Blue Economy concept have been developed
and could be used both by Europe and the Indian Ocean region.
As far as Seychelles is concerned there are very tangible developments taking place such as the assistance of
Abu Dhabi in our efforts to harness wind energy around our coastal zone so as to reduce our dependence on fossil
fuel.
We have a strong Breton presence in Seychelles with the majority of the French tuna purse seiners coming
from Concarneau. This tuna fishery which is so important to the Seychelles economy has undergone a certain
transformation over the years with an increase in management measures such as more observer coverage, better
reporting, better scientific follow-up of the catch and more protection of the environment. In line with our Blue
Economy concept more efforts still needs to be made at reducing non-targeted species and making a better use
of the by-catch which create more employment opportunities, food security value addition and foreign exchange
earnings for the country. We are also building more sustainable value addition opportunities for our local semi
industrial and artisanal fisherman based on a sustainability brand and sound fisheries management. We have
also been partnering with Breton Groups to strengthen this opportunity.
The Seychelles economy, people, culture and development has been forged
by the ocean and much of its future will depend on how we as a nation and
how we as a region as a whole manage our maritime zone.
Seychelles has taken a leadership role in several areas and has co-organised and co-hosted two Blue Economy
summits in Abu Dhabi. Seychelles has struck a deal, the first time ever, with the Paris Club of creditors and
South Africa to cancel $30m of debt by launching a massive ocean conservation project which will cover 30%
of Seychelles EEZ. This debt restructuring for climate adaptation will have a big impact on climate adaption and
marine conservation in Seychelles. This innovative financing strategy, which could be replicated in island nations
or coastal countries in the Indian Ocean or across the globe, provides an opportunity to protect these countries’
economies and also help them to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. It brings conservation and
development together. And it also creates a new niche for sustainably sourced fisheries products. Seychelles is
currently undertaking a marine spatial planning exercise across its entire Exclusive Economic Zone. Seychelles
with the assistance of The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation and other international parties is to issue a 10
year sovereign bond with proceeds specifically designated towards the implementation of a fisheries demersal
management plan to develop a sustainable fishery that delivers the best ecological, economic and social benefits
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13. for the Seychelles through effective transparent and participatory management.
The Blue Economy will be a driver to new exciting and profitable possibilities
for the sustainable utilization of our oceanic resources.
The potential of our marine and fisheries are huge and can be developed further. There is a need to diversify
our economic activities and make further use of our resources. For example there is much scope for the further
development of aquaculture. Aquaculture presents a great opportunity for Seychelles and many countries of the
Indian Ocean. In Seychelles it can become a new socio-economic pillar and increase the value addition by having
a very integrated approach. There will not only be the production of fish but equally the creation of new industries
such as fish and animal feed, equipments, services etc. Better use must be made from the waste product from
our fish processing activities especially from tuna canning. This product can be turned into fish meal, health and
cosmetic products such as omega 3, calcium, enzymes and other high value products.
This will not only create a more integrated process but will also lead to other
developments such as biotechnology and advanced research.
The possibilities of cooperation between the Indian Ocean countries the Middle East and Europe is immense. This
can be in the form of technology transfer, finance, training and direct investments.
This cooperation and holistic approach exists at the moment and needs to be expanded further. If one takes
the example of the tuna industry we can see that there are strong links at all levels of the chain. The resource
is managed by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission which comprises of countries around the Indian Ocean and
distant fishing nations from Asia and Europe. The tuna itself is processed mainly by multinationals but much of the
waste product and the by-catch from the fishery are not fully utilized. This offers great potential to entrepreneurs,
scientists, environmentalists and innovators covering a wide spectrum of areas.
Most critically, a Blue Economy approach invites young people around the
world to view the ocean through a different lens. The lens of development –
rather than extraction. To truly bring economic benefit and sustainability into
the same equation.
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Creating opportunities in global commerce
Maersk Line provides a dedicated feeder service for
the Seychelles market providing a direct link to Salalah,
Oman, the main transshipment hub for Maersk Line
within the region.
From Salalah, Maersk Line has services to and from all
the major ports within Europe, Far East , Middle East,
Oceania and North America.
Source : Maersk Line

14. Worldwide contribution shared on Linkedin-Pulse
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President of the UAE, co-hoster of the Blue Economy
summit in Abu Dhabi
We are building a new reality for our people, a new future for our children, and a new model of development
Why Ministers for Happiness, Tolerance, Youth and the Future?
Over the past two weeks, I have heard and read many questions, comments, and news stories regarding recent
changes to the government of the United Arab Emirates. Why, everyone seems to want to know, did we establish
a Ministry of Happiness, Tolerance, and the Future, and why did we appoint a 22-year-old Minister of Youth?
When the Arab world was tolerant and accepting of others, it led the world: From Baghdad to Damascus to
Andalusia and farther afield, we provided beacons of science, knowledge, and civilization, because humane values
were the basis of our relationships with all civilizations, cultures, and religions. Even when our ancestors left
Andalusia, people of other faiths went with them.
Tolerance is no catchphrase, but a quality we must cherish and practice. It must be woven into the fabric of our
society to safeguard our future and maintain the progress we have made. There can be no bright future for the
Middle East without an intellectual reconstruction that re-establishes the values of ideological openness, diversity,
and acceptance of others’ viewpoints, whether intellectual, cultural, or religious.
Our region does not need a super-strong external power to stop its decline;
we need the power from within that can overcome the hatred and intolerance
that has blighted life in many neighboring countries
I am writing to send a message that governments in our region and elsewhere need to revise their roles. The
role of government is to create an environment in which people can achieve their dreams and ambitions, not to
create an environment that government can control. The point is to empower people, not hold power over them.
Government, in short, should nurture an environment in which people create and enjoy their own happiness.
We are not new to this talk about the government’s role in promoting happiness. Since the dawn of history,
happiness is all that humanity has sought. Aristotle said the state is a living being which develops in seeking the
achievement of moral perfection and happiness for individuals. Ibn Khaldun said the same thing. Likewise, the
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15. United States Declaration of Independence upholds the pursuit of happiness as every person’s right.
The role of government is to create an environment in which people can
achieve their dreams and ambitions, not to create an environment that
government can control
In our own time, the United Nations is now calling for changes in the criteria used to measure governmental
success from economic indicators to measures related to human happiness and wellbeing. It has dedicated a
UN World Day for Happiness to emphasize the importance of this shift. Focusing on happiness is both feasible
and fully justified. Happiness can be measured, and its evaluation is already the subject of many programs and
studies. Moreover, it can be developed and its achievement linked to material objectives. Studies have shown
that happy people produce more, live longer, and drive better economic development in their communities and
countries.
Tolerance is no catchphrase, but a quality we must cherish and practice
With every lesson we learn comes a decision that will shape our future. But we also know that we can learn
by looking to the future, not just the past or present. Simply put, we must think of what life will be like in a
post-oil economy. That is why we have invested heavily – more than 300 billion dirhams ($81.5 billion) – in
establishing a focus for the UAE’s path ahead, with the aim of preparing for a diverse economy that frees future
generations from dependence on the ever-fluctuating oil market. Achieving that goal requires reconsidering our
legislative, administrative, and economic system fully to move away from dependence on oil. We need a strong
and appropriate regulatory infrastructure to build a sustainable and diverse national economy for our children and
their children. (source : Linkedin-Pulse)
Persian Gulf sandstorm
Envisat captures sand and dust blowing northeast from the Arabian Peninsula across the Persian Gulf toward Iran
(visible at image top). Some of the world’s largest sandy desert areas, including the Rub’ al Khali and An-Nafud,
are located in the Arabian Peninsula. Sand and dust storms are usually the result of atmospheric convection
currents, which form when warm, lighter air rises and cold, heavier air sinks. Dust storms in northeastern Iraq, the
Persian Gulf and the southern Arabian Peninsula are more frequent in summer because a strong northwesterly
wind, called the shamal, blows over the floodplain of Iraq’s Tigris and Euphrates Rivers for up to three months,
transporting the sand and dust. In mid-June, a shamal caused a massive dust storm that stretched from Iraq
to India to the Arabian Peninsula, where it hovered for days due to low wind speeds.(source : European Space
Agency)
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16. Annick GIRARDIN, French Minister for Development, attending at Blue Economy summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Paris Agreement, which we adopted at the COP21, embodies a tremendous boost for the protection of the
planet, its people and its ecosystems. The preamble to this agreement marks a turning point in recognizing as
never before, the importance of protecting the oceans, because their role in climate protection is important.
Without healthy oceans, without the ability to store CO2, but also to provide those dependent, food, energy
and many other goods and services, we will not succeed in achieving the goals we have set, limit the global
warming below 2 ° C, see 1.5 ° C.
This vision, carried long by some island states like Seychelles - I thank for their strong commitment - or
by all Small Island Developing States which met in Samoa in 2014 - I had the privilege to participate in
these exchanges. All these actors have made the bet that the blue economy is a formidable lever of action
for sustainable development and poverty reduction. I myself come from a French island territory and am
convinced in.
France, which has the second largest maritime area in the world, is a leader
in this sector, with a rich ecosystem of companies that value the marine
bioresources as a natural source of innovation, but also marine energy.
The potential of the oceans, considerable, is threatened by the effects of global warming. The acidification
and warming waters, we all know here, modify the properties of the ocean and degrade marine ecosystems,
reducing the diversity and number of species. This will have serious consequences for our way of life. But
do not succumb to pessimism: marine resources, if managed sustainably, are our main allies in mitigating
global warming. The ocean is the primary regulator of global climate, how we manage these resources
therefore largely determine the answer that we will bring to the problem of global warming.
This is why our meeting today is thanks to the commitment of the UAE and the Republic of Seychelles, so
important. The meeting also perpetuates the spirit of the COP21 and the Paris Agreement on the climate. Each
state has responsibility in this challenge. France intends to take his two levels. The first level is exemplary:
it is better to protect marine biodiversity and find techniques and sustainable farming strategies of these
resources. On the protection of biodiversity, France has made considerable progress in recent years, over
16% of its territorial waters are marine protected areas, 20% will be by the end of the year. But we must go
further than simply protection is the second level, and act in favor of a global blue economy, synonymous
with sustainable use of marine resources.
For this, we need especially to develop and share renewable marine energy
and marine biotechnology. Transfer mechanisms of technology and capacity
building under the Paris Agreement on the climate should be used to it.
This is also the meaning of the CREWS initiative on alert systems which I launched with Australia, Canada,
Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Japan at the COP21. His goal is simple: to allow all those in
vulnerable countries threatened by climate disasters, especially cyclones and storms, to be warned well in
advance of the arrival of such an event and be able to to protect. We have mobilized EUR 80 million for it
in 2020, and today I appealed to other countries to join this coalition. We must also act on the sources of
pollution from the blue economy and reduce emissions from maritime activities. France has requested to
generalize internationally mandatory monitoring system, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions from
shipping.
Adaptation is also at the heart of the blue economy. We must support the
development and dissemination of scientific knowledge on the oceans to
16

17. produce tools for assessment, planning and forecasting. We must also
support the development of adaptation strategies for coastal areas and
vulnerable island.
Again, France and its partners intend innovate. At the request of the Seychelles, we chose to explore a debt
conversion project for adaptation to the effects of climate change. This project will enable the archipelago in the
Indian Ocean to devote more resources to protecting its rich biodiversity, yet threatened by global warming and in
particular by the effects of El Niño, particularly violent this year. I am particularly proud that the Paris Agreement
has brought for the first time the term “ocean” in the text of a climate agreement. The COP21 was also the first
to dedicate an entire day to the oceans. On December 3, the actors of civil society, the economy and research
mobilized successfully to hear the urgency of the situation. The Paris Agreement was first registered in the UN
marble commitment of all actors of civil society, associations, research centers, but also local authorities, who are
often first in line to manage effects of climate change, and finally businesses, vital to the very term blue economy.
The time when the protection of some sensitive marine areas seemed to be enough to save the oceans are gone.
It is now necessary to think all ocean issues as a new economic, social and
environmental partnership with all those who live and do live oceans.
We have a number of practical ways forward which should enable us to move forward. France participated in the
elaboration of the statement “Because the Ocean,” which now has more than 22 signatories - including Seychelles
and Palau - which cover over 35% of world EEZs. With “Because the Ocean” France supports the implementation of
a special report on the issues linking oceans and climate by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. France
also supports the implementation of sustainable development goal No. 14, we will discuss this afternoon. Through
the action of the French Global Environment, France finances operations working for a sustainable and integrated
governance of coastal areas, island and marine, to the benefit of local people and ecosystems.After an historic 2015
years who will have spent the recognition of the potential of the blue economy, 2016 should be the year concrete
measures to protect marine resources and extract innovative ways, for a transition to sustainable lifestyles. (source
: Blue Economy summit in Abu Dhabi)
From the city of Ponant to the Levantine
winds
Official inauguration of Oceanopolis,
Aquarium and largest European maritime
reseach center at Brest, Brittany, France on
1987/06/22, with the presence of Edouard
BALLADUR, former Prime Minister, native
from a Levantine family from Smyrna with
strong Armenian origins from Iran.
Designed by the French architect Jacques
Rougerie, the first building pavilion has the
form of a crab.
17

18. Philippe COCHET, Chairman of the Iranian Caucus at French Parliament
In 1714, Lyon City hosted the first Persian ambassador Mehmet Rıza
Beg, former intendant the governor of Yerevan appointed to participate in
the signature of the Treaty of Commerce and Friendship between France
and Persia. His trip to France, accompanied by a rich Armenian merchant
Hagopdjan of Deritchan was a true adventure that illustrates, in the minds
of Confluences’ river, a philosophy of meeting and understanding, reflecting
the unique soul forged in Lyon over centuries, with all international visitors :
a bottom-up area working both in network and abroad. In the future, we will
specifically continue to support this scheme to boost vitality of openness to
the world.
To celebrate the centenary of his birth in Lyon on 1900, a high statue
perpetuates the memory of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This libertarian spirit
bequeathed a captivating story became very famous: the Little Prince by
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Child born and raised in exile, this little character
was born in New York in 1942, from the pen and brushes of a melancholic Saint-Exupéry, suffering be subtracted
from the military field. Appeared across the Atlantic in 1943, the book will be released in France in April 1946,
posthumously.
Front of the shocks of the history, culture, trade and education are the keys
to dialogue and peace in the world.
In the second century BC, Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty led extensive explorations on the west of his empire,
looking for allies and trade routes ... Hence arose the Silk Road: 7000 kms and 2,000 years of history ... the Silk
Road, woven genuine link between East and West for the exchange of products, innovative techniques, doctrines
and cultures embodies mutual admiration are dedicated both banks of the Eurasian continent.
If China is the starting point of the Silk Road and Lyon is one of these terms, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of
Hormuz remain an important step, enhanced by Armenian-Persian friendships from Lyon merchant elites. In the
sixteenth century, while the Silk Road is slowing gradually, weaving of silk grows in Lyon, encouraged by King
François 1er. Since the skills of weavers Lyon has emerged: Louis XIV decorated silks fashioned residences in
Lyon.
In a world where talent is nomads, travelers and capital are mobile, we can constantly reinvent new trade
corridors and give confidence to our companies to explore new markets. Have a look on the Credit Lyonnais
bank headquarters in Paris, the building shows off a beautiful pediment and cariatiques: A financial bank allegory
supported by the Trade and Industry, the Seine river and the Rhone river.
Land of nomadic bankers, Lyon was in direct competition in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries with Florence
city and Antwerp city to become the most powerful European financial center. The history of stock exchanges
allows us to retrace the steps of the emergence of these valuation areas and interconnection. Like Lyon, the Italian
trading cities and those of the Baltic Sea create banking centers, which were based on trading commercial paper,
which become not stock much later. With a market savings already international, bonds were booming in the
eighteenth century.
In Lyon as in other European cities, the emergence of the press and the telegraph allows shares to take over the
mid-nineteenth century, the development of railways, from the extraction of raw materials and precious mineries
adding it to the banks and canals. The stock remains a matter of territories and concessions, even if it goes global
with the advent of the telegraph and already passionate about technologies (electrical, automotive, steel). Until
the twentieth century, industrial companies are a minority take place prior to then experience a golden age, taking
advantage of their economies of scale. This century also sees ending show electronic trading and decentralized,
the dematerialization of securities and the rise of industries: biotechnology, fine chemicals, become iconic jewels
of the Rhône river. Without question, the values of commitment and pioneer spirit of the Rhone, mobile bankers
area, can they act as a ferryman, intercultural bridge to build partnership and investment opportunities in the
Middle East, and Iran in particular.
18

19. Forough SALAMI, Vice-President of Brittany Region in charge of international affairs
Brittany is strong only when it turns to the ocean.
Its remoteness is only continental. On the maritime side, it occupies a central position on the other
hand, between the Channel and the Atlantic, at the confluence of northern Europe and south as well
say that Brest has for our region a strategic dimension. Its assets are those that Brittany needs to
shine tomorrow : an ocean metropolis peak on marine science, pivot of the future maritime highway
called to along the Atlantic coast. Yes, Britanny needs to Brest, but Brest has just as much need of
Brittany, whose international visibility can only guarantee him the realization of his ambitions. My
belief is that one and the other have a common destiny. United no obstacle can resist them in the
interests of each, the lions therefore an unbreakable bond. like the story of the Persian adventure of
the Ten thousand in the Anabasis of Xenophon and the famous cry! Thalassa Thalassa | The Sea
The Sea!)
The maritime assets are considerable. Brittany is now positioned in key markets in the
future as new materials and biotechnologies.
It has all the reasons to keep a fishing area, shellfish and continue to innovate in seafood. The
coastline is also a huge opportunity in terms of quality of life and tourism. The sea impacting all
of the regional council policies. We propose to maintain a comprehensive approach on maritime
subjects.
We propose to make in Pointe Brittany global campus of the Sea, to strengthen our support for all
the innovations of this and of all other sectors. Britain should be more recognized in this field at
international level based on its research laboratories, such as the Biological Station of Roscoff and
the European University Institute of the Sea. We will continue our heavy investment on ports of Brest
, Lorient, Saint-Malo, Roscoff to be more than ever the economic development tools in the service
of all Britain. We will accompany the installation of seat IFREMER in Brest. We will engage the digital
networking of auctions. We will engage in work for the Breton products are further exported from
the port of Brest.
We propose to support new channels from the sea and especially the algae research, the
cybermaritime, composite materials in the dynamic industrial and academic players around Lorient
city. We will maintain our support for innovation tools such as the Sea Cluster or France Energies
Marines. We will accompany the sailing and ocean racing industry so that it is always the bearer
of innovations for all the Breton economy. We will preserve the role of primary maritime sectors
(fishing and aquaculture) on our coastline, our coasts and at sea. We propose to create regional
public service ferry services to islands. We will assume our responsibilities on the Brittany ports in
conjunction with local communities. The development and modernization of fishing ports are an
issue for the future.
The future of Britain is not only in Brittany, together we can build a regional diplomacy
with Middle East.
We can go further in the internationalization of our region and our businesses. We can bring our
strongest international solidarity actions and economic actions. We can develop a proactive policy
to help our businesses expand into new markets to protect the oceans. Strait of Hormuz at the
Pointe Bretonne, we can boost the British brand at the service of Breton blue economy.
19

20. Pierre-Emmanuel MARAIS, Deputy Mayor of
Nantes City in charge of linguistic, educational
and pedagogical diversity
The Anabasis is one of the works written
by Greeks who teach us a lot about the
Persian Empire. The book is not only an
adventure story: it is also an accurate
description of the Persian empire and
its peoples. It will be exploited later by
Alexander the Great. Readers were able
to discover, then, a whole environment
and a world that was foreign to them, see
inconceivable. The relationship to space
has been particularly hit particularly
spirits that lived on them confined
areas, they discovered the immensity of an empire swept by very different climates. But the
strength of the story mostly takes the single narrative that combines the action to reflection,
diving in the news philosophy. His approach, summarized by its author, in a few words: “It is
sweet, when told and done something manly and handsome, leaving a self-remembrance
in the soul of those where it is desired that it survives “. The main lesson that we can learn
from this epic is precisely the transmission of political ambition can only be exercised in a
people, through the ages, if it is supported by a rich and valued culture.
Brittany and Nantes city, its largest city, have always developed links with the rest of the
world. These exchanges have experienced significant twist to the dawn of the seventeenth
century, when the Nantes traders were content -which the small cabotage- turn to the
Atlantic by going cod fishing in Newfoundland. The first shipment of tobacco, reduced the
West Indies in 1639, paving the way for international trade and global.
France, and Brittany in particular, must continue to bring a strong and innovative message
on these issues of sustainable development. Europe’s Green Capital in 2013, President of
Eurocities, the network of 130 major European cities, spokesman for the Climate Network
United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Nantes City is a Western France metropolitan
area known for the environmental and energy transition.
The city will host a global event, Climate Chance, from 26 to 28 September 2016. This first
edition aims to become the regular appointment of all non-state actors engaged in the fight
against climate change.
Authorities, private firms, associations, unions, scientific organizations, citizens are invited
to this meeting, which should help draw the status of the action throughout the world,
deepen exchanges on successes like the difficulties, promote the sharing of experiences and
innovations, to highlight emerging opportunities solved this fight against climate change.
This scale event expected to attract several thousand participants from around the world.
20

21. Jacques HUCHET, Deputy Mayor of Saint-Malo City
in charge of international affairs
The inhabitants of France’s western shores have
always lived their lives to the rhythm and swell of the
Atlantic Ocean. Over the centuries, the sea taught
them fear and courage, and brought them both riches
and ruin.
Early on, in their tireless attempts to tame the
ocean, they learned to sail. However, every attempt
at exploration, conquest or colonization came at a
terrible prince – shipwrecks. Life at sea is a world of
contradictions – underwater wrecks are good places
to find fish, but wrecks can also snag nets ant take
lives. Victims of shipwreeks are mourned, but the day
after a ship founders, the beaches are filled with fortunes-hunters. Battles are fought at sea and lives are
taken, but men crowd the Mass below decks to receive communion.
Saint-Malo – city of commerce raiders and port for every type of vessel, from fishing boat bound for
Newsfoundland to ships engaged in illegal trading. For more than two centuries, the city was a special
destination for ships from every corner of Europe. Merchants and pirates amassed wealth, but sometimes
paid it with their lives. The bay of Saint-Malo, with its rocky coastline and one of the largest tidal ranges in the
world, has been the site of many shipwrecks. This hostile environment, combined with the constant comings
and goings of ships, has been the source of both risk and misfortune.
Until the 1670s, Saint-Malo benefited from being a port franc, a privilege granted to Brittany ports since the
reign of Charles VI, and it grew accordingly. The construction of fishing vessels, which had developed in
the early 16th century, was the backbone of the city’s trade, even though dried cod was not popular in the
markets of western and northwest Europe. This lack of interest meant that ships were obliged to return via
southern Europe. Unfazed, the Saint-Malo merchants took advantage of these Mediterranean excursions
and established themselves in the shipping trade that supplied the intra-European trade routes.
At the same time, they did not waver when other trade circuits opened up starting, such as that of the Antilles
(which was off-limits to them), forcing them to bring their cargoes directly back to Saint-Malo. Wartime
privateering, the discovery of the South Seas route via Cape Horn, trade with China via India or the Pacific,
and the coffee trade (Mocha) were merely logical extension of the Saint-Malo merchant’s amazing ability
to adapt. This trading elite had, in the 17th and 18th centuries, put Saint-Malo at the very top of the list of
French trading ports.
Unlike their Portuguese counterparts in the 16th century, or Dutch navigators a century later, both of which
actively pursued trade with the Far East, most French merchants involved in maritime trading remained deaf
to the siren call of Middle eastern and Asian trade until the late 17th century.
In 1664, Louis XIV and his minister Colbert founded the Compagnie Française pour le Commerce des Indes
Orientales (French East India Company), which held the monopoly on trade in this part of the world for a half-
century. This domination of French trading in Middle east and Asia meant that merchants had to be content
with merely distributing Middle easter and Asian imports in France.
Nevertheless, a turning-point came around 1680 in the wake of the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678). Bled
white by naval conflict, the French East India Company was forced to negotiate partnerships with private-
sector merchants. This opening did not last long, but it did provide an opportunity for French merchants to
get a sense of the potential that lay in Middle east and Asia.
21

22. François LUCAS, Naval Architect and Alain GRAND GUILLOT,
Engineer
Did the lateen sail was born in the Persian
Gulf?
According to historians, the origin of the lateen sail seems come
from the side of Polynesia or Indonesia, then she would have been
coming to Madagascar before rising along Africa to the Persian Gulf
and finally Mediterranean area. Persian and Arabic sailors intensely
used this technique and have prospered maritime trade through this
way.
After that, Mediterranean people have adopted and also the West.
For example the caravels of Christopher Columbus had both veils
and square veils. The main advantage of the veils is their ability to go
upwind. Indeed thanks to their triangular shape, one can tuck them
almost in the axis of the ship and sail approaching the direction from
which the wind comes. That’s impossible with a square sail, it can
maximally navigate through the wind. Finally, a boat sailing Latin is
independent while a boat square sails is more limited, or it navigates
more or less in the direction of the wind, or he made a detour to
retrace his steps, he is waiting for the wind turned.
In the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, there are no regular winds as the
trade winds in the Atlantic, so I guess the need has made ingenious
browsers and sailing designers have perfected their rigs in lateen
sail. There still is a limit to this rig : the size. Indeed, this veil held by
a “antenna” that can reach impressive dimensions on large dhows.
From a certain size, this antenna is too heavy and too flexible to be
used. That is why the Persian and Arabic dhows are never very large
ships. And this is also why the European ships developed square sails rather than the sails on their boats load
or war that became increasingly large. They coudn’t go against the wind. So that the reason why they chose the
suitable roads to avoid this incapacity ! Oriental sailors had no such worries about it.
There were all kind of shapes and sizes of boats, dhows and sanbuq along the Red Sea, but also the baggalas,
badans, dungiyahs. Smaller boats are slender and very elegant, sometimes equipped with perches recall what
makes them very fast. A small dhow is therefore an ideal tool in these hot countries where there is no fear of
having your feet in the water. A short team of 2 or 3 is needed, it goes fast at all speeds. Managing the sail is well
simplified.
The dhows for the great ocean, are plump and are designed to carry the load, they finally look like caravels and
sometimes even borrow their style with the rear castle.
The perception of simplicity and lightness are the key success of vessels and cabotage swarmed between the
Red Sea, India and Zanzibar and contributed to the prosperity of these regions, but the advent of steam and
shipbuilding steel has led to the supremacy of the West maritime traffic.
Steel has allowed lighten the hulls and increase the resistance of rigs and then quickly, focusing on rig engine,
race performance and gigantism was no longer stopped. Dhows remained active until now for the coasting trade
and coastal fisheries but also for tourism and leisure activities like the island of Lamu in Kenya), the sailing is more
news and shape of the boats has changed to fit the engine.
In a global world, we need to enhance our coastline potentialities. France and
especially Brittany region is currently the leading competitor in design and
shipbuilding. Such synergies should be found among our territories.
22

23. Shipping in the Persian Gulf (Doha, Qatar)
Source : European Space Agency
23

24. 24
« If you want to build a ship,
do not gather men to give them
orders, to explain every detail
to tell where to find everything.
If you want to build a ship,
make arise in the heart of men
the desire of the sea. »
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

25. 25

26. Jean-Marie BIETTE, Secretary General of the Sea cluster of Ouest-France Group, Writer of the book: “Sea is
the future of France”
Strongly attracted by the issues related to the sea, I have felt a lack of journalistic sources and
mainstream approaches to understand its rich and complex environment. Historically, the French left at
sea by necessity. Reaching the Mediterranean, it was reaching the north of Africa and its wealth. Around
1000, the Vikings settled in Newfoundland after colonized Iceland and Greenland. The Icelandic sagas
faced the seas in search of new resources in the face of land set aside six months a year. The sea has
remained in the collective imagination a need to fight, a place of confrontation. In the beginning, the
kingdom of France extends its boundaries to an area without direct coastal interface. Following extensive
extensions from 1204, Philippe Auguste dedicated the first shores of his kingdom. On a historical level,
France remains an agricultural country radically turning back on the sea, with a few exceptions (Brittany,
Basque Country ...). The initial sociology of sailors also touched mostly landless, disinherited people.
In 1624, in a period when grazing and plowing are the two breasts of France, Richelieu has an intuition:
he created the Navy! This strategist endows it with strong and innovative legal instruments: the Code
Michau intends to promote the Merchant Navy and authorizes the nobility people to develop trade and
shipping companies. It was necessary to promote investors! The country was committed to building
large warships. Louis XIV confirms this ambition. Colbert initiated the launch of arsenals. In 1661, France
had twenty vessels. In 1677, France got 670. The first social scheme for seamen appears in 1673. The
French Enlightenment movement cultivates passion inherited from maritime scientific expeditions of
La Pérouse. Napoleon Bonaparte talks meanwhile an ambivalent relationship. If Trafalgar is a terrible
military defeat, the first Consul was however involved to restore a beautiful navy.
In the current context of globalization itself punctuated by maritimisation, we maintain structural
strengths. Brilliant shipowners were able to build logistics adventures beyond the oceans, like CMA
CGM. Meanwhile, there are numerous French officers on the bridge, through the excellence of our
training offer.
Wealth is built today through flow, logistics permanently connected with
world trade.
The challenge of the hinterland must be strengthened through infrastructure by river or rail voice. Take
the example of Marseille, southern gateway to Europe through the Rhone Valley. There is still no bypass
bar. Meanwhile, Antwerp became the first French port of manufactured products through an efficient
logistics network, competitive and less expensive for carriers. The impact of flow is considerable. 90%
of trade globalization is by the sea.
Undoubtedly, we must explore the enhancement of algae. It is a sea of scientific promises. There is a
new compound every day, according to leading experts. It is in the sea that the pharmacy will find the
solution to all our health problems. Important oncologists working on algal materials, like the Tours
hospital, while other labs are exploring the potential of a hyperpuissant antiviral. Large biotechnology
sector companies are betting on natural molecules from the sea. It’s a huge market. Moreover, the
alternatives to plastic is a very serious industrial track to dig, at the time consists in the South Pacific off
Chile an 8th continent composed of clusters of plastics. A strong creative SME fabric, Saint-Malo with
Algopack, Nantes Saint-Nazaire with Technocampus compete inventiveness to provide answers to the
global food challenges. Applied research is strengthening in the field of plant proteins. Take the example
of spirulina. High Level Athletes consume, as François Gabart for the Vendée Globe.
Algae also an industrial hope for new generation biofuels. Aquaculture production definitely bring future
opportunities for overseas territories which project in innovative sectors of health and environment.
Finally, the few rich land in strategic metals (zinc, lead, copper, silver ...) take us into the deepest ocean.
The outskirts of major marine flaws are covered with these precious minerals that fuel the appetite of
big firms electronics or major emerging countries.
26

27. 27
« Free man,
you will always
cherish the sea ! »
Charles Baudelaire

28. Charles-Henri VIEL, Entrepreneur and Founder of Archinaute
The sea is never far from Bretons people and they have written
many pages of maritime history. France, with the second largest
maritime area in the world has a tremendous asset for the
future. Then have a clear vision and ‘visualize’ ‘the future to build
it because it is the spirit which organizes matter.
Globalization, it is also the realization that containing climate
change and more generally sustainable development is a global
challenge that we can not ignore.
Brittany risk of suffering worse weather or rising sea levels, the
shores of the Persian Gulf are they threatened with a potentially
fatal rise in temperature to the man in the summer! The reality
that is imposed on us is that it is imperative to get out of the
carbon energy at a steady pace. The energy transition will
then be global change engine the most powerful in the coming
decades.
In the maritime domain, any original solution could we offer?
Brittany has all the scientific, technological and industrial capabilities to develop a third way of navigation
positioning between sailing and motor: the path of ARCHINAUTE. The principle is a French invention
studied by Jules-Louis Breton engineer in the years 1920 to 1922 which has never been industrialized
because of competition from combustion engines.
The rotary wing of ARCHINAUTE is the most efficient solution to be the main energy source of a ship
from a primary energy 100% free and inexhaustible renewable: the wind.
This is also a technologically affordable solution that could scale to work fairly quickly.
This technique allows, in a wise and reassuring as a professional Ship, reaching speeds of around 50%
of the wind speed in all navigation directions, including directly into the wind.
History repeats are told, so if the wind is the energy of all vessels from antiquity to modern times, it is
natural that it is also the energy of the ships of the 3rd millennium.
To develop this solution in Britain
is giving the example of the way
forward for successful energy
transition is also a significant
technological showcase for
France and economic benefits to
our naval and nautical industries.
And if we do not, others will do it !
The concrete opportunities may
involve fishing, shipping, boating
or research vessels.
More information on :
www.archinaute.fr
28

29. Nicolas VENARD, CEO of Crédit Agricole du Finistère
(Bank) and his team driving the Sea cluster
The Sea Cluster of Credit Agricole du Finistère (Bank)
was born from the desire to support the Glaz Economy
: Green, Blue and Grey representing research and
intelligence.
Maritime economic sectors are sustainable
development hub for our territory. Funding needs,
innovation support, innovation and networking of
stakeholders in the sector are substantial, promising
for the future and saving jobs.
The key drivers of Glaz project aims to support
innovation, develop partnerships and support projects
• It is a co-creation approach involving all stakeholders
in the sector,
• A detailed analysis of the sector and sub-sectors
highlighting opportunities by Kurt Salmon firm
• The creation of cooperation model, listening to the
needs and stakeholder participation
• A human adventure through a crew ship on a dedicated boat, involving employees, directors and
partners
• A dedicated exclusively communication on social networks
Tools created for the occasion available to the die Sea:
• A team of 13 referees dedicated to maritime projects
• A venture capital fund for minor participation
• A strategic asset umbrella for the territory
• A Foundation to support innovation and research in term of fundraising
Many maritime sectors with a worldwide orientation are impacted :
1. Naval sector: Companies who conglomerate their interest on a Global Market (Cluster Bretagne
Pole Naval, Piriou, DCNS ...)
2. Maritime renewable energies : local technologies, global market (SABELLA OPEN HYDRO ...)
3. The top biotechnologies or pharma firms (HEMARINA, ManRos ...)
4. Algae resources produced and processed in Brittany, with a worldwide marketing (Technature,
AGRIMER, Lessonia, CARGILL, ALGOTHERM ...)
5. Hydrograph, design and Oceanograph firms selling their know-how all over the world (MAPPEM,
ACTIMAR, QUIET OCEAN OPEN OCEAN ...)
6. Excellence of Shipping with a strong local production in many yards naval that market
More information : http://filieremer.ca-finistere.net/
29

30. Yonggang LI, President of Europe-China Investment
Association & Chief Representative Sichuan Invest
Representative Office in Europe
Admiral Zheng He, the famous Chinese
navigator of the Ming empire in the 15th
century has crossed the gateway to the
Persian Gulf with its powerful fleet.
Researchers had already followed the trail of some fascinating
expeditions of Admiral Zheng He considered AS the largest
Chinese navigator of the Ming Empire and maritime history of
the early 15th century. Long time before the Portuguese Vasco
da Gama and Magellan (1434), the great Muslim eunuch from
1405 roamed the seas of Southeast Asia (Java, Sumatra) in
the Indian Ocean (Sri Lanka), Red Sea (Egypt) and the coast
of Africa (Mozambique). Before these peregrinations are abruptly stopped in 1433 - the date of his death - when
China suddenly decided to close maritime relations with the foreign world.
Researchers are now able to add a new chapter for sure in this great epic, one of his presence at Hormuz. Through
archeology we could identify passages of Zheng He in the Persian Gulf. The Department of Archaeology at Bejing
University (China) has indeed been able to retrieve and analyze the remains of imperial ceramics, traces of the
passage of the Ming fleet led by Admiral. It was at the request of Emperor Yong Le that China has launched several
times its massive junks to discover the world. These “boats treasures” (Baochuan) measuring 138 m long by 56 m
wide interpretation ... the experts have now returned to more reasonable dimensions of 50-60 m (recall caravels
that Columbus reached only 30 m). Buddhist monks and Muslim clerics participating in these trips made only to
the glory of the Emperor since it was no conquering expeditions unlike those that were launched by Europe.
We knew that Zheng He was able to reach the Strait of Hormuz and that there had been exchanges on site for silk,
ceramics and imperial porcelains, Chinese sailors were buying large quantities of pearls and precious objects.
Hormuz was considered a center of world trade. You could come across trad-
ers from Egypt, Syria, Azerbaijan, Khorasan, Turkestan, China, Java, Tenas-
serim, Bengal, Malabar, Zanzibar, Abyssinia, or of Aden Jeddah yet ... All of
trade that contributed to the Gulf economic boom.
Two islands could however claim to have hosted the ships of Zheng He. The imposing Qeshm - who had the favor
of historians - and facing the continent and the small Mo Hu Lu Si (Hormuz in Chinese).
The treasures of the “Western Oceans” are precious stones and jewelry from the Gulf and dating from those times
of the fifteenth century who were also unearthed, particularly in the tomb of the ruler Liang Ming Zhuang (1411-
1441). No doubt reported by the expeditions of Admiral Zheng He. Thus, one can still read on a gold bullion, “...
day of April in the 17th year of the reign of Yongle, bought in the western oceans”, “Western Oceans” is an ancient
Chinese term for the Persian Gulf. So we know now for certain that Hu Island MB If read nautical charts Zheng
He matches the island of Hormuz.
The last year of his reign, Alexander decided to restore the tomb of Cyrus the Great, which had been looted in
his absence, and to punish the guilty. This period triggered also the famous wedding of Susa. This episode is a
very solemn symbolic act of revealing the king’s will melting into one Persian and European cultures. Thus ten
thousand companions marry the same day with Persian women. Alexander himself chose Stateira as wife, eldest
daughter of Darius III.
30

31. 31
Shipping in the Persian Gulf (Doha, Qatar)

32. Olivier PONS, CEO of IDV Air Consulting
Although most of the image that the Gulf companies
plan, it is the overall development policy which is taken
into account. Their vision of a future depletion of certain
raw materials, like oil of course, allows them to open new
horizons. These heavy investments in air and airport
environments, have allowed them, in just 15 years, to see
airtraffic(byaccumulatingDohaandDubaiandAbuDhabi)
from 19 million passengers in 2000 nearly 134 million in
2015 and even to 165 million in 2020. by comparison, the
Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is 66 million passengers in
2015 against 48 million in 2000.
The strategic placement of the Gulf countries, the financial
resources in terms of investment, give them legitimacy to
develop air routes as a hub between Europe, Asia and the
Pacific and soon in the future African growth markets.
However the 3 airports cities will not be able to manage an
endless stream of aircraft soon as they reach a critical size. It will therefore provide new strategic points
of exchange in a very close area.
Iran, through its recent opening, is a counter potential mushrooms Gulf cities. Not only to stop traffic but
also exchange points points. With a population of nearly 80 million people, an economy still perfectible,
Iranian funds already can perform many aircraft orders and future prospects will fly high. Indeed to build
its air development policy, Iran has already made an initial order for 118 Airbus planes for $ 23Md euros
and they aspire to order 400 to 500 more in the next ten years.
France and the great French West have a major part to play to their geographical locations but especially
by their many areas of excellence sailors, food, military, biotechnology they represent. Lobbying actions
are already underway and Britain must find its place and have to make its many strengths.
The place of France’s Total in the sense that Europe is a flight range of Iran and that economic exchanges
on the tips of sectors are countless. This requires the political will of development between Paris and
Tehran.
It is thus essential that the study of the traffic rights to be extended to provincial towns for all territories
to export their expertise. It is not unrealistic to imagine airlines, in addition to Paris, from Lyon, Bordeaux
and Nantes with Tehran but also to the island of Kish who wants a development in Dubai. For as in France,
Iranian specific areas want to turn to the world.
Make no mistake this is not only to large aircraft like Boeing 777 or Airbus 380, but the new generation of
more fuel efficient aircraft will easily make these trips, like Airbus or Boeing 320neo 737max.
France can be placed in the board of airport management in Iran with the jewels such as ADP (which
occurs on the board, expansion of Tehran airport via ADPI) and Vinci Airport which will highlight their
expertise in the management of transit airports.
In a world of high-potential sector, the tourist attraction linked to the opening of the country may be
subject to significant investment in infrastructures but also of transport. Isaac Newton thought up the
situation by saying that “We build too many walls and not enough bridges. “. Today, it is to think with all
partners how to build strong bridges ... air.
32

33. Sylvain Koffi SASSE, Owner of Vivaldi Paris. Secretary
General of the ADAC : Agency for Development of Central
and Francophone Africa - www.adac-europe.org
Xenophon prepared minds to the possibility and the
profits of the conquests of Alexander the Great: he
relates in the Anabasis, a syncretism never achieved
fusion between European culture and oriental culture.
What lessons do you draw from this story, in terms of
your positioning in the world of fragrance, embodying
the harmony and alchemy seasons?
The lessons we draw from this story is the sacred
character of the fragrance and ancient Greek literature
offers mythology perfume explaining the birth of a
particular fragrance during battles between gods .Car
in many of other areas, Egypt and the Orient transmit
the science of perfumes citizens of Xenophon, that is to say the Greeks, Cretans and Phoenicians as
intermediaries with the importance of their maritime relations. Subsequently, thanks to their widespread
countertops throughout the Mediterranean, the Greeks, import of Eastern and African raw materials and
thus become experts in the development of scented products. The world of perfume is a reflection of
this spirit of Xenophon, in that it is the result of the harmony between the different notes: floral, woody,
etc. An alchemy between body and soul, peoples and cultures. A mix of scents. In the words of Charles
Baudelaire << The scents, colors and sounds answer >>.
Informed of the reopening of the Roman trade routes and increased trade with the East, Themistocles
became aware of the importance of Piraeus to Athens a great maritime power ally of the Persians.
This allowed the rediscovery of many fragrances. Following the Chinese and the Arabs, the alchemists
of Europe discovered ethyl alcohol and distillation. After the travels of Marco Polo, the spice trade
intensifies and accelerates the process of rediscovery of the perfume. For the history of perfume, is a
season of history, cultures and peoples. Our fragrances have a harmony of notes, which offers a range
of olfactory tones. The reference << >> Vivaldi Spring, by its softness and lightness transports us to
the heart of a garden in bloom. This is a women’s fragrance. << >> The summer of Vivaldi, also female,
by its spicy-floral notes and exotic fragrance leads us through several continents. << >> Fall Vivaldi, a
fragrance Men, explores a floral-fruity our. Winter Vivaldi, is a man fragrance, based orientale- woody,
bringing us to the distant travels. These notes form a symbolic essence a composition of fragrant
colors that express feelings and emotions. Combined with the seasons, the fragrance evokes lightness,
inner sensitivity, the sense requested by the sun, the night, the wind or the rain ... like the colors, cultures,
peoples and continents ..
Under the reign of Louis XIV, known as “the most smelling King of the World”, the court of Versailles is
then marked by a pervasive use of perfumes and cosmetics. The Sun King was perfume fountains of
the Gardens of Versailles, designed by Le Nôtre: orange blossom, jasmine and white carnation. Today,
in the perfume sector, France, has a definite traditional know-how and recognized internationally.
Strong demand for scented products led France to develop its own production: the Grasse region,
enjoying a particularly favorable climate, thus oriented this time towards the cultivation of fragrant raw
materials and then, later, to garment parfums.Fort of this knowledge, French perfume has a reference,
and inexorably find an important place in this corridor of exchanges with the opening of the Iranian
economy. For this, Iran has a prominent place in the strategy of our brand VivaldiParis in its conquest
of the Middle East. We intend to address in this market, with the help of Iranian industry partners, for
the installation of infrastructures dedicated from Kish Island (production unit, perfume school, training,
creation of local jobs etc. ) while benefiting from the expert advice of Breton executive networks run by
Marie Therese Caro and Kevin Lognoné and that of Iran and Mrs Samaneh Afsaneh. So from Kish Island
33

34. Jean-Claude VOISIN, former director
of the French Institute of Tehran
Upontheliftingofsanctions,President
Hassan Rohani was speaking on
Iranian television, saying: “ It is time
for Iran to cut the umbilical cord
with oil ..”; this oil “providence” was
and remains the property because
of concerns: international jealousy,
internal corruption, waste of natural
resources such as water, which is
rare, facilities daily which encourage
a certain carelessness ...
An axis stands: that of the maritime environment. France, with its 9,000 km of maritime borders, has
developed and continues an “intelligent” policy of development of coastal resources. Iran, with its 2400
kmofmaritimebordersin1700withthePersianGulfandtheArabianSea,hastherenotonlyopportunities
but for some areas still completely blank, as its coastline on the Arabian Sea. The presence of dynamic
zones (Kish Island, Qeshm, port Bander-Abbas, Chabahar), the presence of relevant government officials
(often trained in Western universities) and listening are the future elements based development of new
environmental approaches both on the coast and that the dynamics of building “smart”: Bouygues has
already understood.
France, very present in Iran since the seventeenth century, the country learns that she has somewhat
neglected the last twenty years. The position of Iran, formerly Persia, was for millennia a bridge between
the Far East and the West. This “Middle Kingdom,” as Henry Corbin meant, never abandoned his gaze
on both the West (more than ever) than to the Asian continent. The economic sanctions of the past 15
years have encouraged Oriental investments and interventions in Iran of large countries such as India
and China. The West has not taken the proper measure of the Chinese strategy to reactivate a new Silk
Road; Analysis Morteza Zabouri, already in 2005, is instructive in this regard.
France, which holds a special place in the heart of the Iranians, may find an opportunity for cooperation
and partnership to build joint projects and to conquer this Far East, with which the Iranians are familiar
for over 3000 years . Iran has the ability to summarize like no other. In all areas, religious, commercial,
technical, artistic, Iran has always assimilate, transform and re-export of skills and knowledge acquired
elsewhere. Open technology, Iran had, in 2011, 710 mobile phones per 1000 inhabitants. In 2013, 53
million mobile phones were connected to a population of 78 million. The e-commerce increased by
200% per year, the smartphone sales of 53%. The opening of the Iranian youth to T.I.C. is to be taken into
account. The French start-ups would know among young Iranians find partners -often multilingues-
essential to conquer the Asian markets.
Thus this country -one of the oldest nations in the world constituted, with a literacy rate of 98%, a youth
representing 70% among those under 35 years - should receive the attention of our companies, our
artists . With the evolution of the open door policy promoted by President Rohani is a new page of East-
West relations that opens. The mutual benefits are many. Western Cartesian has no reason to be in the
method in Iran but many Franco-Iranian who may be essential bridges between our two approaches.
Whoever forgets this can quickly lead to disappointment. The Iranian is a trader. Millennia of trade
and commerce on the Silk Road have shaped minds open to innovation, curiosity. It is also an esthete
who loves poetry, music, theater, photography, film are all areas in which places Iran in the forefront
of every country in the Middle East but often globally . France, meanwhile, excels in digital animation,
heritage, tourism, aerospace, crafts, medical research, agriculture and the food: it may be there that are
our common future horizons.
34

35. 35
Rud-e-Gaz and Rud-e-Hara wetlands, Iran
Source : European Space Agency
This image over a remote area in southern Iran was acquired by Japan’s ALOS satellite on 10 December
2009.
To the west we can see the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, which lies betweenthe Gulf of Oman to the south
and Persian Gulf to the north. The brown areas along the coast are sediments carried from rivers that flow
only after erratic rainfall in the interior, usually in the winter months.
On the whole, the area pictured is extremely arid, as evident by the lack of vegetation. But in the upper left
and slightly inland, we can see a green area that appears to be standing water from a human-made dam on
the river.
The dark zones along the coast are wetlands at the deltas of the Rud-e-Gaz and Rud-e-Hara rivers. This
extensive complex of tidal mudflats, creeks, saltmarshes, mangroves, sandbanks and offshore islands is an
important site for wintering waterbirds.
This is just one of the over 2000 sites worldwide considered to be wetlands of international importance by
the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty for the sustainable use of wetlands.
Dedicated ESA programmes assist the convention by providing satellite data to be used to monitor these
important areas. With their repeating global coverage, satellites are ideal for imaging remote areas that
require monitoring – like the wetland pictured here.

36. 36
Alpha (uppercase Α, lowercase α; Greek: Άλφα Álpha)
is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 1.
It was derived from the Phoenician letter Aleph.
In English, the noun “alpha” is used as a synonym for “beginning”,
or “first” (in a series), reflecting its Greek roots.
« We like the name Alphabet
because it means a collection
of letters that represent language,
one of humanity’s most important
innovations.
We also like that it means alpha‑bet
(Alpha is investment return above
benchmark), which we strive for ! »
Sergey Mikhaylovich Brin
Delta (uppercase Δ, lowercase δ or ; Δέλτα Délta)
is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.
In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 4.
It was derived from the Phoenician letter dalet.
A river delta (originally, the Nile River delta) is so named
because its shape approximates the upper-case
letter delta (the shape is a triangle).
What about a Delta Tech Market in Middle East ?

37. Ali SALEM, Junior engineer and Virtual reality expert
Alexander the Great was early turned to the East, not the West. The word comes from the
East oriens in Latin, present participle of the verb oriri “arise, get up” oriens also means rising
sun. East means anything that is east of the European world, but the concept goes beyond the
geographical positioning. It emerged as Europe became aware of itself.
Initially, the Greeks use two concepts to designate abroad outside. First, India, covers all that is
beyond the world known by the Greeks, which encompassed the cards to the Iranian empire.
The Greek philosophers were accustomed to interact with their peers Persian, Egyptian and
Phoenician. The term evokes India which is situated beyond the frontiers of knowledge. The
second concept is that of “barbaric”: it is the Other that one crosses on the markets and who
control neither your language nor your cultural codes. The barbarian is defined as one that does
not belong to the ecumene, shared culture.
Under Alexander the Great, the ancient humanism becomes a reference bound to spread.
Alexander was born in Macedonia, so this is a barbarian and his empire project is a political
concept came from the Iranian world. But he is the ecumene by his intellectual training. His will
to conquer the entire known world ad the Romans will achieve universality by transforming the
ecumene political project. This transition shows how Europe in its Greek roots fed on the Middle
East roots.
The concept of East reappears to the Renaissance with the rediscovery of humanism and
maritime access to India. Go to India, is pursuing the discovery of the world that such reboots
through the Crusades. We start talking of the West Indies (the America) and the East Indies.
Contacts with these two poles have always existed through trade. The ancestor of Inalco, the
School Youth Language, founded by Colbert in 1669, taught the major commercial languages
that were Persian, Turkish and Arabic. From Louis XIV to impose the idea that we can be effective
in its economic and diplomatic exchanges with people that if the language and culture is known.
By meeting the Persian world in the 12th century, Europeans are faced with a more advanced
civilization than their own, especially in science and technology. With manuscripts by scholars
from this region, they also reconnect with their Greek heritage. Initially, the Europeans will be
fascinated by this very strong otherness and feed knowledge it offers. A far however that Europe
develops economically and culturally, it will become increasingly Eurocentric.
Globalization and multiculturalism always existed, through trade, the crews of ships or
missionaries. A Harappa (now in Pakistan, 2500 before J.C.), were found beads from
Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). There was a Chinatown in London in the 18th century. The report
to which is different oscillates constantly between fascination and fear, depending on political
and economic crises. It is often difficult to find a balance between the two.
Sea is certainly a strategic issue in the context of a post-oil society, even if space remains
fragile because at the crossroads of coastal complex interfaces with the Shia powers. Yet the
Sea is a promising future. It can become a region of diversity with horizontal and collaborative
relationships where often the “resource curse” could block the projects. Neptune always favors
the bold. Particularly those that will support projects that unite the skills and unite the religious
and political interests in the region.
37

38. Ibrahim AL SHIZAWI, Omanese young leader
“Reinvent hospitality”: an innovative con-
cept to create a vibrant Middle east inter-
face during the Universal Expo in Dubai in
2020
How to welcome the world’s nations ? What would be
the teambuilding to bring together so they share their
knowledge, skills and know-how? These are the questions
that guided the design thinking towards the notion of
hospitality as the unifying theme for the Universal Expo of
2020.
Do you know that hospitality and hostility have the same
etymology? The difference between these concepts lies in
how to receive a foreigner. In distrust, in fear he became an
enemy. But curiosity, sharing and exchange, it becomes a
friend. The theme “Together reinvent hospitality” proposes
to invite the world for the Universal Exhibition in 2020 all
the nations of the world to share experiences, know-how
and innovations in hospitality.
There are as many ways to get there are cultures and individuals on Earth. Offering water, tea, wine, a
piece of cloth, a seat for sitting, a meal, a welcome. The hospitality is therefore not universal. But the
different practices of hospitality all have in common is that of making a stranger, a friend.
What about the international urban design competition to integrate maritime resources? The public
spaces might be places of welcome and expression of the nations participating in the World Expo 2020.
On this occasion, interesting French experiences around the valorization of seaside resources could be
put forward, such as seaweed wall of prototypes to grow algae for use it as organic solar cells, through
photosynthesis, or to create biofuel. Blue economy (Algae 3D printing…) could allow visitors to test full-
scale urban designer creations to choose urban design that would integrate resources of the sea in its
technologies and tomorrow participate in the identity of maritime interface of the Expo.
The connected objects are the future : become a gold prospector
Moreover, with the assistance of French skills, technological identity of Middle east provides an
opportunity to raise its tourism interface during the Universal Exhibition of 2020 as a showcase of
connected objects. It’s a fact: people and objects are increasingly connected, interconnected. There is
no doubt that this connectivity, and sometimes that hyper-connectivity, will impact ecosystems and
therefore the associated processes.
In a few years, it is tens of billions of objects ready to be “smart objects”. This is already a reality in some
industrial sectors supported by European clusters: the “connected car”, “smart meters” and “smart
grids”, health services / social license by Connectivity, “smart cities “, etc.
Structuring partnerships can be imagined the occasion of the World Expo 2020, as a new road between
Middle East and Europe. French delegations of SME and innovative projects might be associated with
these maritime issue and play a role as a showcase of the expertise of our territory in the valorization of
new sea resources (marine biotechnologies, energy storage , marine renewable energy ...).
38

39. Ali IMANIPOUR, Co-founder of the Circle of Two Towers
A Youth bank to promote young Iranian de-
signers of tomorrow
A Youth bank : structure dedicated to young Iranians could
be experienced in order to encourage the emulation of young
talents. The idea is to promote a linking structure between young
Iranian talents with innovative projects and local and international
investors (Paris, Geneva...), through the mobilization of the Iranian
diaspora and French financial engineering stakeholders.
What is a Youth Bank? The idea was born in Great Britain in
1999. Five organizations in charge of citizen expression of young
people (the British Youth Council, and the National Youth Agency
in particular) come together and raise funds to the tune of one million euros, to fund projects led by young
people, with a citizen vocation. The Youth Banks were born and seven local offices are established: in England,
Scotland, Ireland. Aid they can bring range from 250 to 25,000 euros depending on the interest and scope of
projects. The Youth Banks are managed mainly by young people aged between 20 and 25 years, but older
references may however come to rest. Its Irish founder wished developed relationships with French actors
to encourage his experimentation in other territories.
Inspired by this model, it is proposed to develop a concept of Youth Bank dedicated to entrepreneurial
projects of Iranian youth, rather than non-profit humanitarian operations and charity, which does not mean
that business projects fields of intervention carried by young people in the first step, quite the contrary.
Specifically, the missions of the Youth Bank would be :
- Linking young Iranian talents with innovative projects and local and international investors. For creators
and innovators the possibility to get in touch with investors or other young people engaged in the same
process would be an asset.
- Providing loans at very low or zero interest rates, or a financial contribution in support of starting a
business.
The decision to award the loan or assistance, and modalities, would be determined by a collegial commission
comprising members of the Youth Bank, in view of the citizen interest of the project, originality, and
sustainability . It does not act for the Youth Bank to be necessarily holder of the funds, as this would generate
legal and financial difficulties. Agreements with organizations such as foundations or banking groups, could
be considered. A partnership with ADIE (French structure) already invested heavily in the allocation of micro-
credits, seems a very serious track to dig.
- Offer personalized advice, referrals to all agencies providing support for business creation (assistance
with administrative procedures, ad hoc training, experiences inputs). On this point, the Youth Bank wants
to place more as resourcers than as providers of such advice and such aids as support devices are already
numerous.
- Provide local and free office equipment to work, creating a network with other young people who wish to
undertake. The Youth Bank does not distinguish here nurseries or existing incubators, but it seems that the
needs remain large enough for this type of aid.
- Develop actions with learning centers and training institutes.
In addition, the territories now have a comprehensive, multicultural and globalized. However, solid partnership
capacity, managerial and innovation are also produced by the new generations. And they necessarily enter
the company in the public space of the elements of their experience.
39

40. Mehdi SADEGHPOUR, CEO of First Quest, Iranian start-up
Innovation is not equal to creativity and it’s not merely thinking
creatively. It’s creativity plus action, I mean you’re innovating when
you’re providing functional creative solutions for worlds problems
and an ecosystem by definition is a network of interconnected
systems. Now we have it, an “innovation ecosystem” is the
network of interconnected systems which foster innovation. To
have a prospering ecosystem, certain domains must function
properly. Most importantly, there must be human resources,
financial resources, a supportive culture, a big enough market
and government’s support. All the governments in the Middle-
east have already started some programs to foster innovation
and entrepreneurship, but to be honest, I believe it’d take years if
not decades to see a prospering ecosystem in middle-east. And
that’s because usually one or two key domains are not functioning
well in Middle-East countries.
For example some Arab countries are providing very good financial resources and governmental support, but
they may lack a big enough market or human resources. Or Iran for example, has quality talent and a big market,
but the business law is outdated and there aren’t enough financial resources available there. But if we lower our
expectation, and don’t expect to witness a Silicon Valley in Middle-East, I think there are promising signs here.
Middle-eastern countries lack some key domains in order to have a prospering ecosystem. “The Circle of Two
Towers” can be a key bridge between European and Middle-eastern ecosystems. For example connecting
European entrepreneurs and those of Middle East and creating a mutual community will lead to global perspective
for middle-eastern entrepreneurs and access to business opportunities for Europeans. C2T also can contribute to
both community by connecting investors to entrepreneurs and the list of possible contributions can go on.
New Technology can spread sharing tools for the digital renaissance of cultural heritage. In Europe, an innovative
campaign” Let’s act “outside the walls” of Michael Mount”, whose goal aims to make it the largest object connected
monument of the world to finance its restoration, thanks to big data. Designed to exceed the tech borders, this
experimentation aims to build a transposable model for other sites in the river or sea Heritage (headlights, harbor
fortifications ...). Michael Mount,second largest visitor attraction of France, after Eiffel Tower is dedicated to
Mithraic Persian mysteries.
World Heritage of Humanity since 1979, the Mont-Saint-Michel is a true artistic and technical achievement: on
a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed back and powerful tides rises the Wonder of the West,
Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Michael and the village that grew away from its walls.
In the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, archangels are more than angels, “they announce the great mysteries.” Michael
Mount, moving space and water strikes whose consistency and perception are evolving with the tides contributes
to the magy of the place.
Today, this maritime setting can be a showcase of new technologies for the preservation of our heritage. But also
a bridge between East and West.
The Archangel Michael is part of the three angels mentioned by name in the Qur’an with Gabriel and Malik.
Moreover, Kuwait in classical Arabic means “the fortress built by the sea.” Bahrain, literally “two seas”, while Dubai
has a historic maritime interface in the past maintained its pearl fishing.
On a technological level, cooperation could lead to the identification of technological actors, museum and tourist
Iranians interested in sharing experience and good practices in this emerging field of big data, virtual reality and
objects connected to the major sites Persian Heritage (Ispahan, Persepolis ...).
On a spiritual level, academic actors or foundations could also be referenced to encourage the sharing of
experience or best practices in the interfaith dialogue, and generally by the dialogue between East and West.
40