Conference: Nuclear Energy, Energy Sovereignty, and Geopolitics (FULL)

Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation. The conference is currently fully booked.

Abstract

As a carbon-free and stable energy source, nuclear energy is a key driver of national independence. Only a few countries, including France, have mastered the entire nuclear fuel cycle, which raises significant industrial and diplomatic challenges.

With 30 countries considering the development of this sector and public opinion becoming increasingly favorable, this conference will analyse the role of nuclear power in the energy transition, as well as innovations—such as fusion—that will shape the energy of the future.

About the Speaker

H.E. Sylvie Bermann, Ambassador of France, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE), Former French ambassador to China (2011-2014), the United Kingdom (2014-2017) and Russia (2017-2019). She joined the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1979 and was Vice Consul in Hong Kong. She was then stationed at the French Embassy in Beijing (1980-1982) and Moscow (1986-1989). She served at France's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (1992-1996). At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she held several positions in the Asia Department, including Deputy Director for Southeast Asia, where she organized the peace conference on Cambodia, and Head of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Department. She was then appointed Ambassador to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the European Union in Brussels (2002-2005), before returning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Director of the United Nations and International Organizations (2005-2011). In 2019, she received the dignity of Ambassador of France. From July 2021 to February 2022, she was OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) mediator for the implementation of the Minsk agreements in Ukraine. From January 2020 to January 2026, she was President of the Board of Directors of the IHEDN (Institut des hautes études de défense nationale). She was a trustee of the think tank RUSI (Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies) in London from 2020 to 2023. She has been a member of the board of Sciences Po Aix since 2016. She taught at the Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) in 2023. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Institut Jacques Delors, Notre Europe. Since 2020, on behalf of GIFEN (Groupement des Industriels français de l'énergie nucléaire), she has been President of WNE (World Nuclear Exhibition), the world's largest civil nuclear exhibition, which takes place every two years in Paris (2021, 2023 and 2025). Studies: History degree from La Sorbonne, diploma in Chinese from the Institut des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO), diploma from the Beijing Language Institute and the Institut des Sciences Politiques de Paris ("Sciences Po"). Publications: La Chine en eaux profondes Stock 2017; Goodbye Britannia – le Royaume-Uni au défi du Brexit Stock 2021; English version : Au revoir Britannia – A Diplomat’s View on Brexit Luath 2022; Madame l'Ambassadeur – de Pékin à Moscou, une vie de diplomate Tallandier 2022 ; L’Ours et le Dragon – Russie-Chine : histoire d’une amitié sans limites ? Tallandier 2025 Decorations: Commander of the National Order of Merit, Commander of the Legion of Honor. RemarksThis is a HMAW1905-recognized event in the "Personal Enrichment & Community Service" category under the "Self-Directed Experience" of HMAW1905:Behavioral Foundations of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness. To receive 1.5 hours, you must attend the event in full and miss no more than 10 mins.  Enquiry email: oidrevent@ust.hk