Professor Bing Xu, the new president of the Chinese Economic Association (CEA) UK/Europe, chaired the group's annual conference in Dublin from 2 to 4 August 2026. The event at University College Dublin brought together researchers, policymakers and industry experts to examine how sustainable finance, artificial intelligence (AI) and the circular economy can address economic and environmental pressures.
Xu co-chaired the conference with Professor Liming Wang of UCD and Professor Wing Thye Woo of the University of California, Davis. The theme was "Sustainable Finance, AI and the Circular Economy: Pathways to a Sustainable Future". Sessions covered green finance, AI-driven innovation, digital technologies, climate resilience and responsible investment.
Delegates came from universities across Europe, Asia and North America, along with the finance and sustainability sectors. Dublin was chosen for its international outlook, and UCD provided a base for building cross-border partnerships in economics, finance, sustainability and digital innovation.
Heriot-Watt's visible role
Heriot-Watt University had a strong presence at the conference. Professor Dame Heather McGregor, the university's Provost and Vice-Principal, delivered the keynote address. Xu, who is Director of Edinburgh Business School's Centre for Financing a Sustainable Future, said:
"I am delighted to serve as the new President of the Chinese Economic Association (UK/Europe), and I was incredibly proud to see Heriot-Watt University so prominently represented. Professor McGregor's keynote not only inspired the delegates but also showcased the HWU's leadership, international outlook, and commitment to shaping discussions around sustainability and the future of business. Many colleagues commented on how wonderful it was to see Heriot-Watt and Edinburgh Business School playing such a visible role within the CEA community, and I couldn't agree more."
Xu helped set the conference programme, which gave academics and practitioners a forum to share new research and practical solutions. The event strengthened Heriot-Watt's position in international research networks on sustainable finance and technology.
AI and sustainable finance
Several sessions focused on AI-driven innovation in financial services. For finance professionals, the focus is practical: applying AI to risk management, investment decisions and FinTech. Complete AI Training's AI for Finance tag tracks those applications. The AI Learning Path for Sustainability Analysts covers ESG reporting and green strategy for sustainability-focused roles.
Why this matters for finance professionals
The Dublin conference points to a practical shift in finance. Investment decisions increasingly need to weigh environmental impact alongside returns, and AI tools are becoming part of how analysts model risk, report on ESG factors and allocate capital. For finance professionals, familiarity with both areas is becoming a baseline expectation, not a specialisation.
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