More than 2,300 mathematicians representing nearly 80 countries have signed a petition calling for the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians to be moved out of Philadelphia, USA. They cited visa restrictions, safety concerns, and US policies they say undermine inclusiveness in the global science community as reasons for relocation [1].
The number of petition signatories exceeds the official count of registered participants for the congress, highlighting broad opposition within the mathematical community [1]. The congress, scheduled to take place in Philadelphia in 2026, is a major event that convenes mathematicians worldwide [1].
A co-organiser of the petition emphasized the potential impact of a Chinese mathematician boycott, saying any Chinese participant "who understands the value of a genuinely global mathematics community" should back the boycott and encourage their mathematical societies to follow suit [1]. This suggestion points to the crucial role that China’s presence at the congress could play in influencing the outcome.
The petition raises concerns that current US visa policies, along with perceived safety risks, could exclude many qualified mathematicians from attending, thereby harming the congress's goal of fostering global collaboration. It underlines how political and bureaucratic barriers can affect international academic events [1].
The next major event on the timeline is the scheduled hosting of the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia. Whether the petition leads to an official change of venue has yet to be determined [1].
