International Mathematical Union

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International Mathematical Union (IMU)

The International Mathematical Union is an international organization that promotes cooperation in mathematics around the world. It is part of the International Science Council and helps support the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM). Its members are national mathematics organizations from more than 80 countries.

What it does
- Promotes international cooperation in mathematics across pure, applied, and educational fields.
- Supports the ICM and other international math meetings.
- Recognizes outstanding research with scientific prizes.
- Encourages and supports mathematical activities that develop the field globally, especially in developing countries.

Membership
- 83 full member countries and two associate members (Bangladesh and Paraguay).
- Each country is represented by an Adhering Organization (such as a national academy or mathematical society).
- There are also affiliate member organizations.

Location and leadership
- IMU Secretariat: Hausvogteiplatz 11A, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
- Current president: Hiraku Nakajima (2023–2026). The previous president was Carlos Kenig (2019–2022).

History and structure
- Established in 1920, dissolved in 1932, and reestablished in 1950; formally began again in 1951.
- The 1952 General Assembly in Rome marked the start of the modern IMU; it rejoined the ICSU in 1952.
- The permanent office was opened in Berlin in 2011 and is hosted by the Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics (WIAS).
- The IMU is governed by an Executive Committee (President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, six Members-at-Large, and the Past President) and a General Assembly that meets every four years to elect officers and set policy.

Key programs and groups
- CDC: Commission for Developing Countries, focusing on mathematics in developing regions since 2011.
- ICMI: International Commission on Mathematical Instruction, connected with IMU to support math education.
- CWM: Committee for Women in Mathematics, addressing women’s issues in math and organizing global events.
- ICHM: International Commission on the History of Mathematics, run jointly with the Division of the History of Science.
- CEIC: Committee on Electronic Information and Communication, advising on publishing and math information.

Publications and activities
- IMU-Net: bi-monthly electronic newsletter for the global math community.
- IMU Bulletins: annual updates on IMU activities.
- Prizes: IMU awards several prestigious prizes at the quadrennial ICM.
- Notable reports: studies on mathematics in Africa (2008, updated 2014), Latin America and the Caribbean, Southeast Asia; and the 2014 report The International Mathematical Union in the Developing World: Past, Present and Future. The 2014 MENAO symposium highlighted achievements and opportunities in emerging nations.

Website
- mathunion.org

This simplified overview captures the IMU’s purpose, structure, and key activities to promote and support mathematics worldwide.