Busan Secures Hosting Rights for ICIAM 2031
First Major International Mathematics Conference in Korea Since Seoul 2014
The world's largest international academic conference in the field of mathematics will be held in Busan.
The Busan Metropolitan Government (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) announced on September 16 that it has successfully secured the hosting rights for the International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics 2031 (ICIAM 2031) in Busan, after intense competition with Boston, United States, and Brisbane, Australia.
The host city was selected at the '2025 ICIAM Board and Workshop,' which took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, from September 11 to 13.
The International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics is the largest international academic conference in the field of industrial and applied mathematics, held every four years. It attracts more than 5,000 industrial and applied mathematicians, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world. The event serves as a global platform for academic exchange, seeking solutions to various societal and industrial challenges based on mathematical theory and analytical methods.
This achievement is the result of over two years of collaboration among the city, the Korean Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Korea Tourism Organization, Busan Tourism Organization, BEXCO, National Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Korean Mathematical Society, Korean Women in Mathematical Sciences, and other academic, industrial, and governmental partners. The city and related organizations plan to continue providing full support and cooperation to ensure the successful hosting of the event.
This is especially significant as it will be the largest international academic conference in mathematics to be held in Korea in 17 years, following the International Congress of Mathematicians in Seoul in 2014. The 2031 International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics will take place at BEXCO over six days, from June 22 to 27, 2031.
The city has recently elevated its status as a global hub by consecutively attracting major international conferences to Busan. Notable achievements include: ▲the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, the first to be hosted by UNESCO in Korea in 2026; ▲the 2026 World Library and Information Congress, the largest conference in the library sector worldwide; ▲the 2028 World Magic Championships, known as the Olympics of magic; ▲the 2027 International Exosome Annual Meeting, drawing attention for next-generation bio technologies; ▲the 2026 Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session, leading advances in cardiac medical technology; and ▲the 2027 International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis Asia-Pacific Conference, the most prestigious event in the field of dialysis.
Jeon Youngmok, President of the Korean Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, stated, "As the world's largest academic stage connecting mathematics and industry, the hosting of ICIAM will serve as a valuable opportunity for academia, industry, and research to build new collaborative models and grow together. It will also lay the foundation for Busan to emerge as a global hub for industrial mathematics."
Mayor Park Hyungjoon emphasized, "This achievement, following the successful bids for the World Heritage Committee, World Magic Championships, and World Library and Information Congress, demonstrates Busan's elevated status as a global hub city, as evidenced by the consecutive hosting of international conferences. Our city will spare no administrative and financial support to ensure the successful hosting of the event, and we will continue to pursue key initiatives of the eighth popularly elected administration to realize our vision of a global hub city without delay."
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