The Cuban Society of Mathematics and Computing as a professional society of mathematical scientists, cannot in good conscience recommend participation in the upcoming ICM for Cuban mathematicians, if it is to be held in the United States as planned. Indeed, safe passage to and from the United States is not at all a guarantee. Cubans run the risk of not obtaining a visa if the ICM is held in the USA. Recently, the VI World Baseball Classic was held there, and 8 members of the Cuban sports delegation were denied visas to participate in that event. In the future we hope to engage as broadly as possible with the international mathematics community. To this end, we must prioritize the safety and well-being of our members.
(March 27, 2026)
A Diretoria da Sociedade Brasileira de Matemática (SBM) vem, por meio desta comunicação oficial, manifestar sua mais profunda preocupação com o atual contexto internacional, em particular com as recentes ações realizadas pelos Estados Unidos que afetaram gravemente cidadãos e instituições estrangeiras, bem como com as dificuldades crescentes na emissão de vistos para pesquisadores e participantes de eventos acadêmicos. Tais medidas têm implicações severas para a circulação de estudantes, docentes e cientistas, prejudicando a colaboração cientÃfica global e ferindo princÃpios fundamentais de livre circulação e cooperação internacional.
A SBM entende que o ambiente de pesquisa e de intercâmbio internacional deve ser pautado pelo respeito ao Estado de Direito, à dignidade humana e à liberdade acadêmica. A imposição de restrições e entraves administrativos à s viagens internacionais, especialmente em eventos cientÃficos de natureza global, é incompatÃvel com o espÃrito de colaboração que rege a comunidade matemática mundial.
De igual modo, expressamos nossa solidariedade com os paÃses e comunidades acadêmicas diretamente impactados por ações militares internacionais, incluindo a recente destruição de instalações do Instituto Venezuelano de Investigações CientÃficas (IVIC) e de seu Centro de Matemática, em Venezuela, em decorrência de bombardeios realizados pelos Estados Unidos, com danos substanciais à s instalações de pesquisa e aos ambientes de trabalho cientÃfico.
Diante desse cenário, a SBM informa que não manterá estande no próximo Congresso Internacional de Matemáticos (ICM), nem promoverá qualquer recepção oficial no âmbito do evento, em contraste com as participações institucionais realizadas nas edições de 2014 (Coréia do Sul) e 2018 (Rio de Janeiro). Reconhecemos a importância Ãmpar do ICM para a matemática mundial, mas entendemos que a realização do Congresso em um contexto no qual tantos membros da nossa comunidade enfrentam obstáculos significativos de acesso representa um desafio substancial à ampla participação democrática que caracterizou historicamente esse encontro.
Ressaltamos que nossa decisão não decorre de qualquer posicionamento em relação aos objetivos cientÃficos do ICM, mas sim de uma avaliação cuidadosa das condições objetivas que podem limitar a participação plena e equitativa de matemáticos e matemáticas de diversas regiões do mundo. A SBM reafirma, com firmeza, seu compromisso com a diversidade, inclusão e participação ampla da comunidade cientÃfica internacional.
Adicionalmente, no perÃodo que antecede o ICM, ocorrerá a Assembleia Geral da União Matemática Internacional (IMU), na qual decisões relevantes para a matemática global serão tomadas. Como membro do Grupo 5 da IMU, o Brasil desempenha papel significativo nas deliberações desse órgão. A SBM participará dessa Assembleia Geral na qualidade de delegação oficial do paÃs. Entretanto, da mesma forma, não promoverá quaisquer recepções ou atividades sociais no contexto do evento.
Reiteramos nosso compromisso institucional com a promoção do desenvolvimento cientÃfico, do intercâmbio internacional e do respeito aos valores que sustentam a colaboração acadêmica global.
Atenciosamente,
Diretoria da Sociedade Brasileira de Matemática
The Board of Directors of the Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM) expresses through this official communication its deepest concern regarding the current international context, particularly the recent actions taken by the United States that have severely affected foreign citizens and institutions, as well as the increasing difficulties in issuing visas for researchers and participants in academic events. These measures have severe implications for the movement of students, faculty, and scientists, hindering global scientific collaboration and violating fundamental principles of free movement and international cooperation.
The Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM) understands that the research and international exchange environment must be guided by respect for the rule of law, human dignity, and academic freedom. Imposing restrictions and administrative obstacles to international travel, especially for global scientific events, is incompatible with the spirit of collaboration that governs the global mathematical community.
Likewise, we express our solidarity with the countries and academic communities directly impacted by international military actions, including the recent destruction of facilities belonging to the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) and of its Center for Mathematics, as a result of bombings carried out by the United States causing substantial damage to research facilities and scientific work environments.
Given this scenario, the Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM) informs that it will not have a booth at the next International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), nor will it host any official reception associated with the event, in contrast to its institutional participation in the 2014 (South Korea) and 2018 (Rio de Janeiro) editions. We recognize the unique importance of the ICM for world mathematics, but we understand holding the Congress in a context where so many members of our community face significant obstacles to access represents a substantial challenge to the broad democratic participation that has historically characterized this gathering.
We emphasize that our decision does not stem from any position regarding the scientific objectives of the ICM, but rather from a careful assessment of the objective conditions that may limit the full and equitable participation of mathematicians from diverse regions of the world. The SBM staunchly reaffirms its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broad participation of the international scientific community.
Additionally, in the period leading up to the ICM, the General Assembly of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) will take place, where decisions relevant to global mathematics will be made. As a member of Group 5 of the IMU, Brazil plays a significant role in the deliberations of this body. The SBM will participate in this General Assembly as the country's official delegation. However, it will not host any receptions or social activities in the context of the event.
We reiterate our institutional commitment to promoting scientific development, international exchange, and respect for the values ​​that underpin global academic collaboration.
Sincerely,Â
Board of Directors of the Brazilian Mathematical Society
(February 19, 2026)
ICM 2026
Depuis 2010, la FSMP se fait fort d'assister aux grands congrès internationaux de mathématiques (ICM, ICIAM, Congrès européen) et d’en faire la chronique quotidienne à travers un blog créé pour l’occasion. Nous sommes au regret d'annoncer que nous ne serons pas présents à l'ICM 2026, qui se tiendra en juillet prochain à Philadelphie. Les motifs de cette décision rejoignent les positions déjà exprimées à ce sujet par la SMF et la SMAI, que nous saluons, à savoir notamment notre préoccupation quant à la sécurité des personnes circulant aux États-Unis actuellement, ainsi que notre attachement profond à la science et aux libertés académiques, aujourd'hui frappées d'une défiance et d'atteintes répétées que nous condamnons.
ICM 2026
Since 2010, the FSMP has made a point of attending major international mathematics conferences (ICM, ICIAM, European Congress) and chronicling them daily through a blog created for the occasion. We regret to announce that we will not be attending ICM 2026, which will be held next July in Philadelphia. The reasons for this decision are in line with the positions already expressed on this subject by the SMF and the SMAI, which we welcome, namely our concern for the safety of people traveling in the United States at present, as well as our deep attachment to science and academic freedoms, which are currently subject to mistrust and repeated attacks that we condemn.
Motion du Conseil d’Administration de la SMAI sur l’ICM à Philadelphie
La SMAI ne sera pas représentée au Congrès International des Mathématiciens (ICM) prévu à Philadelphie du 23 au 30 juillet 2026.
La SMAI demeure pleinement attachée à l’esprit de coopération scientifique et aux valeurs d’ouverture et de liberté qui fondent la communauté mathématique. Elle soutient et continuera de soutenir les échanges scientifiques avec les chercheurs du monde entier, y compris au-delà du seul champ des mathématiques, en particulier lorsque les enjeux des applications favorisent des collaborations interdisciplinaires.
C’est précisément au nom de ces principes que la SMAI ne peut ignorer le contexte politique actuel aux États-Unis et les conséquences des orientations de l’administration en place sur les libertés académiques, les conditions d’accueil des chercheurs internationaux et, plus largement, sur la possibilité d’échanges scientifiques sereins et équitables.
Motion by the Board of Directors of SMAI on the ICM in PhiladelphiaÂ
The SMAI will not be represented at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) scheduled to take place in Philadelphia from July 23 to 30, 2026.Â
The SMAI remains fully committed to the spirit of scientific cooperation and to the values of openness and freedom that are the foundation of the mathematical community. It supports and will continue to support scientific exchanges with researchers around the world, including beyond the field of mathematics, especially when the challenges of applications promote interdisciplinary collaborations.Â
It is precisely in the name of these principles that the SMAI cannot ignore the current political context in the United States and the consequences of the orientations of the current administration on academic freedom, the conditions for welcoming international researchers and, more broadly, on the possibility of serene and equitable scientific exchanges.
SMF n'ira pas à l'ICM de Philadelphie
La SMF ne tiendra pas de stand à l'ICM de Philadelphie.
En effet ni la délivrance de visas par le pays hôte, ni sa sécurité intérieure alors qu'y est régulièrement évoquée la loi martiale, ne semblent garanties. Par ailleurs la SMF reste fondamentalement attachée à l'héritage de Benjamin Franklin, inséparable de la pensée rationnelle, et condamne la défiance envers la science et toute atteinte aux libertés académiques.
(Motion du Conseil d'administration du 16 janvier 2026) [Link]
The SMF will not attend the ICM in Philadelphia.
The FMS will not have a booth at the ICM in Philadelphia.
Indeed, neither the issuance of visas by the host country nor its internal security, where martial law is regularly invoked, seems guaranteed. Furthermore, the FMS remains fundamentally committed to the legacy of Benjamin Franklin, inseparable from rational thought, and condemns distrust of science and any infringement upon academic freedom.Â
(Motion of the Board of Directors dated January 16, 2026). [Link]