The 2026 International Day of Mathematics
This was the seventh celebration of the IDM since UNESCO proclaimed it in 2019.
The theme for 2026: Mathematics and Hope
Every year we announce a theme to flavor the celebration, spark creativity and bring light to connections between mathematics and all sorts of fields, concepts and ideas.
Thales said, "Hope is the most universal of all human possessions." More than 2,500 years later, we can also say that mathematics is one of the most universal human possessions.
Connecting hope and mathematics creates opportunities for deeper insight and knowledge. Mathematics gives us hope to understand reality and truth clearly, share common definitions, learn cooperation, use data responsibly, find win-win strategies, and more.
These are the official translations of the theme to different languages:
| English (US) | Mathematics and Hope |
|---|---|
| Arabic | الرياضيات والأمل |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 数学与希望 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 數學與希望 |
| French | Mathématiques et Espoir |
| German | Mathematik und Hoffnung |
| Portuguese | Matemática e Esperança |
| Spanish | Las matemáticas y la esperanza |
| Turkish | Matematik ve Umut |
Many Celebrations
In 2026, people and organizations all over the world announced events in their cities:
The 2026 Webinar
To mark the 2026 celebration, UNESCO, the International Mathematical Union and IMAGINARY jointly organized a global webinar bringing together leading mathematicians and educators from around the world.
The event explored how mathematics can inspire hope by contributing to human well-being, education, innovation and sustainable development. It provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and reflection on the role of mathematics in fostering trust, cooperation and shared solutions, while strengthening international collaboration in mathematics education and research.