More than 2,300 mathematicians from nearly 80 countries have signed a petition to move the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians out of Philadelphia, US. They cite visa barriers, safety concerns, and US policies that they say undermine global science inclusiveness. A co-organiser urges Chinese mathematicians to support the boycott.
More than 2,300 mathematicians from nearly 80 countries have signed a petition calling for the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) to be moved out of Philadelphia, United States. Known as the “World Cup of mathematics,” the event faces criticism over US visa barriers, safety concerns, and policies petitioners say undermine the inclusiveness of global science.
The number of petitioners exceeds the official number of registered participants for the event. Ila Varma, a co-organiser of the petition and one of the signatories, stated that a Chinese boycott could be decisive.
Varma added: “Any Chinese mathematician who understands the value of a genuinely global mathematics community should support the boycott and convince their mathematical societies to do the same.” The petition highlights scholars from countries including Cuba, Iran, Japan, France, and China.
