"The real strategic weapon is the factory"
François de Canson advocated for industrial sovereignty at the 5th Rencontres Stratégiques de la Méditerranée in Toulon.
It is in Toulon, an emblematic port of French naval power, that the 5th edition of the Rencontres Stratégiques de la Méditerranée took place on October 7. François de Canson, President of the Region and Mayor of La Londe-les-Maures, inaugurated these two days of debates. He was alongside Pascal Ausseur, Director General of the Institut FMES (Fondation pour la Maîtrise des Enjeux Stratégiques), and Xavier Pasco, Director of the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique.
Faced with a world in total upheaval, the regional elected official called for rethinking the fundamentals of power and sovereignty.
A regional commitment to defense
A historical partner of the FMES since 2017, the Région Sud renewed its commitment until 2026 with a subsidy of €300,000, representing 26% of the foundation's funding. This support aims to consolidate the reflection, training, and support activities of the regional defense ecosystem.
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The Region relies on the expertise of the FMES to strengthen the defense industrial and technological base (BITD) of the territory, a key sector for the economy and national strategic autonomy.
Redefining power in the era of interdependence
In his speech, François de Canson insisted on the "change of era" we are going through, where crises (geopolitical, economic, technological) are now interconnected. He called to abandon "the glasses of the world that is disappearing" to grasp the new realities.
For him, the very definition of power has evolved. It is no longer measured solely by the ability to act, but above all by the absence of dependencies: "Being powerful is no longer just being able to act. It is depending on no one to be able to do so. Power, in short, is freedom of action."
This freedom is currently challenged by technological vulnerabilities, supply chains, standards imposed by others, and information wars.
Industry, a strategic imperative
The President of the Region emphasized the strong comeback of industry as a strategic imperative, an idea he considers neglected for too long: "It may be old-fashioned to say it, but the real strategic weapon is the factory."
He recalled that power is not measured solely by the ability to innovate, but also by the ability to "manufacture, repair, and produce over time." Taking the example of Toulon, he highlighted that French naval force relies on industrial depth and know-how passed down through generations. "Sovereignty lies in the hands of those who still know how to do things."
From cognitive autonomy to civil peace
Beyond industry, the speech addressed digital sovereignty, qualified as "cognitive autonomy," essential to remaining in control of one's judgment when faced with algorithms and disinformation.
The maritime dimension, with its straits, ports, and submarine cables, was also cited as a new map of power.
Finally, François de Canson stressed the importance of transmission, welcoming the live broadcast of the debates in the region's high schools for the first time: "France must remain a place where world conflicts can be understood without reproducing them. It is a requirement for civil peace. Periods of historical shift require not only power, but also character."
Photos Philippe OLIVIER.