On Tuesday January 20, Yves Saint-Geours, Chairman of the Institut Pasteur Board of Governors, and Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur, invited all staff to the traditional New Year ceremony, now a firm fixture in the calendar, attended once again this year by Institut Pasteur Ambassador Erik Orsenna. 
 

Image

Image

Erik Orsenna was the first to speak at the event held in the CIS. Ever the optimist, the writer and member of the Académie Française reaffirmed how proud he is to be the Institut Pasteur's Ambassador and to have the opportunity to meet and speak on behalf of those who are shaping and supporting the Institut Pasteur's science and medical research. This is all the more true at a time when "the future is uncertain, life is fragile and society needs knowledge now more than ever to defend against the craziness that is gaining ground on a daily basis!" As we witness the erosion of knowledge and the rules-based order, "you need to hold firm, we need to hold firm!" Erik Orsenna also took the opportunity of the New Year ceremony to reiterate his support and commitment and to share his ambition to work closely with the Institut Pasteur in 2026 to promote the sheer depth and breadth of talent among the Pasteurian community, from research and tomorrow's challenges – such as those facing water – to music and culture. Erik Orsenna, who firmly believes that "we must keep joy alive," will invest his time and energy in shining a light on those who are advancing science and bringing it to society. 

Image

Following on from Erik Orsenna, Yves Saint-Geours took to the floor to share his New Year wishes with campus, with every member of the Institut Pasteur community and their loved ones.

Acknowledging that today's world is "colliding with our deep-seated beliefs," driven as it is by a constant stream of tweets and verbal inflation that foster disinformation, the Chairman of the Board of Governors nevertheless sought to highlight the positives in the darkness of the world around us, encouraging us all to be aware of our mission and to show that there is strength in community. He drew on a number of quotations, including Edgar Morin's exhortation to be prepared for whatever might arise: "In this uncertain, fluid world, the one thing we can expect is the unexpected." As he pointed out, no one is better placed than scientists to expect the unexpected! Yves Saint-Geours emphasized the missions of the Institut Pasteur and the strong commitment of the Pasteurian community to defending the values of research and knowledge transfer as an expression of the "civic duty we have towards society." "We need to be confident and stand firm together to overcome obstacles and attacks from outside." We should all be empowered by our unique Pasteurian mission and strive to embody the principle of freedom that governs science. 

Yves Saint-Geours also spoke about the difficulties currently facing the Institut Pasteur, which it will tackle by holding firm to its ethical and professional values. Trust, labor relations, decisions, a new business model, courage, organization and collaboration – these are just some of the words and ideas that are likely to shape the year 2026.

Access the address by Yves Saint-Geours

Image

After thanking the Chairman of the Board of Governors and the Institut Pasteur Ambassador, Yasmine Belkaid began her address by wishing all staff a happy New Year and sharing her hope that we will “find serenity in a world that has so little.”

The President then offered a heartfelt tribute to all the Institut Pasteur staff who died during 2025 or in the first weeks of 2026. After these thoughts, Yasmine Belkaid turned back to what she described as "this new world order that is taking shape, or rather that is crumbling [...] and is a source of concern to us all. We live in a world in which the rules are disappearing and we are seeing a return to brutality." Despite this sad observation, she reminded staff that the Institut Pasteur is in a position to act and resist this trend, to be a leader. “The Institut Pasteur's raison d'être is stronger now than it has ever been.”

The President then expressed her thanks to the entire Institut Pasteur community for the progress and success achieved over the past year – scientific expertise, multiple grants obtained, events reaching out to the public, building the confidence of donors – all of which is a reflection of shared commitment and the importance of working together. Yasmine Belkaid also referred to the new organizational structure and the recent arrival of a number of Vice-Presidents. As well as providing an opportunity for a retrospective look back at the achievements and events of 2025, the ceremony was also a time to look to 2026 and what lies ahead in line with the Pasteur 2030 Strategic Plan. We need to prepare for the future with unity and determination.

Yasmine Belkaid concluded her address by speaking about the immense pride that she “feels every day on walking through the door of the Institut Pasteur. Pride too because our mission is difficult but also stimulating and deeply worthwhile. I very much hope that we – you and I – will be those who, in a world that has been turned on its head, continue to do our utmost to protect and further this wonderful institute. We need to lead the fight. I wish you all a very happy New Year.”

See the address by Yasmine Belkaid (in French)

The event was followed by a drinks reception which provided an opportunity for further discussion.

Image

See the video of the ceremony

Image

Photo credits: Internal Communications Department