The successful bid to bring ICM 2030 to Glasgow was led by academics from the University of Glasgow and built around the message: "People Make Mathematics."
Taking place every four years, the ICM is regarded as the world's most important gathering of mathematicians, bringing together thousands of researchers, academics and delegates from across the globe. The Congress is also the home of the Fields Medal, widely recognised as the highest honour in mathematics and often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics".
The award gained international fame through its inclusion in the Oscar-winning film Good Will Hunting, where the Fields Medal featured prominently in the story of a gifted mathematical prodigy.
The successful bid to bring ICM 2030 to Glasgow was led by academics from the University of Glasgow and built around the message: "People Make Mathematics." The vision emphasised accessibility, inclusion, collaboration and international participation, while highlighting the critical role mathematics plays across disciplines including computer science, engineering, medical imaging and economics.
For the SEC, securing ICM 2030 further strengthens its reputation as a destination for some of the world's most influential academic and scientific gatherings.
SEC has a strong history in hosting meetings of global importance where the world meets to advance science, healthcare, technology, and climate change.
The SEC recently welcomed the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026, attracting more than 6,500 scientists, students and policymakers to Glasgow for the first edition of the biennial conference held outside the United States. Earlier this year, the SEC also hosted the 63rd European Renal Association (ERA) Congress, which achieved record attendance with 10,680 registrations and the highest number of scientific submissions in the event's history.
Dawn Lauder, Director of Conference Sales at the SEC, said: “The ethos of the ICM 2030 bid was one of collaboration, between people and between nations, and the SEC has a strong history in hosting meetings of global importance where the world meets to advance science, healthcare, technology, and climate change, to name a few.”
“The international mathematical union’s decision to select the SEC and Glasgow as their hosts for 2030 reflects their confidence in our team’s talent and expertise to successfully deliver such a prestigious event.”
Dominic McKay, Chief Executive of the SEC, said: “The ICM is a truly global event, bringing together some of the world’s leading mathematical minds. Our ambition has always been to put the SEC and Glasgow firmly on the international stage for major conferences, and this further demonstrates the strength of that ambition.”
“From the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting to the European Renal Association Congress, we have shown that Glasgow can host the very best in international science and academia and ICM 2030 will stand as another landmark moment.”
This brings a generational opportunity to game-change the profile of mathematics in the UK, Ireland and beyond, and to welcome mathematicians from all over the world to collaborate in 2030.
Professor Michael Wemyss, Chair of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow, said: "It is a great honour to have been selected by the IMU General Assembly to host the General Assembly 2030 in Dublin, and the ICM 2030 in Glasgow. This brings a generational opportunity to game-change the profile of mathematics in the UK, Ireland and beyond, and to welcome mathematicians from all over the world to collaborate in 2030.
“We are particularly proud that our message that People Make Mathematics resonated with the delegates, and that they shared our vision that international collaboration can be fostered in a compact city, where many informal interactions can occur. We passionately believe Glasgow and the SEC will be the ideal congress venue, with its warm and friendly atmosphere, and its values emphasising the importance of people and collaboration."
Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism & Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, Destination Glasgow, said: "Glasgow hosts more international conferences than any other UK city outside London, delivering over £200m in economic benefit from delegate spend annually. However, it's the beyond economic benefit that attracts prestigious academic meetings to our city, such as ICM 2030. Associations are keen to be connected in with the world-leading research from the city's academic institutions, such as the University of Glasgow, who led the bid with partners across the UK and further afield."
The arrival of ICM 2030 will place Glasgow at the centre of the global mathematics community, showcasing the city's academic excellence, collaborative spirit and proven capability to deliver world-class international events.
Learn more about the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and the Glasgow Convention Bureau.
