NYU Shanghai Provost and Distinguished Global Professor of Public Health Bei Wu and Associate Professor of Practice in Finance Han Shen Lin were among the speakers at the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 (also known as Summer Davos) in Dalian, from June 23 to 25.
Organized by the World Economic Forum, the forum brought together more than 1,800 global leaders from business, government, civil society, international organizations and academia to explore how technological breakthroughs can translate into economic value and broader progress for all.
Speaking at the panel discussion on "Pathogens that Follow Us," Provost Wu highlighted oral health as a critical yet often overlooked foundation of healthy aging and economic resilience. She emphasized the need to integrate oral health into primary care and called on policymakers to prioritize preventive care, strengthen public health literacy, and increase government investment in health promotion to improve population health. She was joined on the panel by Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) Co-Founder and Associate Scientific Director Quarraisha Abdool Karim, and BGI Group President and Co-Founder Wang Jian.
Wu noted that pathogens are often discussed in the context of acute infectious diseases, but in reality they accompany us throughout our lives, with oral health having a great impact on whole-person health, cognitive function, and physical resilience. From a life-course healthy aging perspective, access to preventive healthcare is essential. Yet in many parts of the world, preventive care remains insufficient, undermining long-term health outcomes.
She advocated for sustained government investment in preventive healthcare, public health, and health promotion. Such investments, she said, not only improve population health but also strengthen economic resilience by reducing healthcare costs and helping societies respond to the challenges of population aging. She also called for greater public health education and campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of oral health and preventive care.
Professor Lin participated in a panel discussion on "Scaling Partnerships: UAE-China Investment Relationship," where he joined government officials and investment leaders to discuss the evolving investment relationship between the UAE and China. The panel explored strategies for expanding cross-border partnerships across sectors including consumer, healthcare, and infrastructure, as well as the UAE's role as a regional hub.
He also delivered a talk in the panel on "The Fear Premium," arguing that traditional personal finance advice has often been built on a narrative of fear that can fuel anxiety and avoidance. He suggested that a more positive spin on personal finance could encourage healthier financial behaviors and help build a more resilient financial system.
Provost Wu highlighted the importance of forums like Summer Davos for exchange and innovation. “At a global platform like the Summer Davos, we are discussing not only the possibilities of technological innovation, but also how innovation can truly benefit everyone,” she said “At NYU Shanghai, we believe that addressing the world's common challenges requires collaboration across borders and disciplines, as well as research that is grounded in today's realities while looking toward the future.”