Nearly 2,000 Mathematicians Threaten Boycott of Major U.S. Conference

The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), held every four years, is facing mounting pressure. Nearly 2,000 mathematicians are calling on the International Mathematical Union (IMU), which organizes the event, to relocate the congress outside the U.S., citing concerns over safety, accessibility, and geopolitical tensions. It is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia, July 23-30, its first U.S. edition in four decades.

The petition cites visa restrictions, travel warnings, the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in major cities, and broader geopolitical tensions as barriers to participation. These conditions, the petition argues, run counter to the ICM’s goal of fostering “a sense of international unity amongst mathematicians.”

The outcry also draws on precedent. In 2022, the IMU decided not to hold its congress in Saint Petersburg, Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine.

“In the wake of this past decision, there is simply no sound argument one could make that claims international participants are more safe at this iteration of the ICM than they would have been in Russia in 2022,” the petition states.

The dispute highlights a growing challenge for global event organizers. Visa restrictions, political tensions, and safety perceptions are increasingly influencing attendance and destination decisions.

Organizers Press Ahead Despite Boycott 

The ICM said it is proceeding as planned.

“The Organizing Committee is fully committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for all attendees. We are working closely with local partners to ensure that the Congress proceeds as planned and that participants can focus fully on the scientific and communal goals of the meeting,” organizers said in a statement posted online.

Jalal Shatah, silver professor of mathematics at New York University and co-chair of the organizing committee, emphasized the importance of maintaining the in-person event.

“Gathering in Philadelphia is not only an academic act, but also an affirmation that mathematics transcends political divisions and that our community remains united in its values,” said Shatah. 

“It’s very important to move forward and have an in-person meeting with international participation. Science is under pressure these days, and this is sending the message that no matter what the pressures are, we as mathematicians can come together and hold an international meeting in Philadelphia,” said Shatah. “We are committed to making it a very successful meeting and will try to address the concerns of those who signed the petition.”

Organizers say they are working to support attendees facing visa challenges, including coordinating with U.S. consulates and embassies when necessary.

The last in-person ICM, held in 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, drew 3,018 attendees from 114 countries. As of April 6, 1,946 have registered for this year’s event, including 1,400 attendees from outside the U.S. 

“We sit down and work at this meeting. We do mathematics. That’s the spirit of ICM. We should be sitting down doing math, not sitting down fighting politics,” said Shatah. “The IMU is committed to meeting in Philadelphia in person because there really is no substitute for the in-person interaction of a meeting.”