Among other relevant information that each potential host country may want to supply, the Site Committee wishes to know about the following items:
Clearly, costs may vary considerably from country to country. However, according to the reports of the latest ICM'S, a potential host country may consider a budget of about 1.5 million US dollars, of which about 0.5 or 0.6 million US dollars might be raised through registration fees (such fees should be at most about 200 US dollars). Again, these numbers may go up or down according to local costs and facilities. In considering the budget, printing costs of the Proceedings and other material (posters, announcements, summary of invited lectures, ...) as well as mailing, deserve special attention.
The host country should be prepared to lodge freely about 120 young research mathematicians from developing countries, selected by IMU; they get their trips paid by IMU through its Special Development Fund. Also, in special cases, invited speakers are expected to receive some financial support for attending the meeting when other funds to cover their expenses are not available. Registration fees are waived for invited speakers and the above young research mathematicians from developing countries.
On the other hand, is to be noted that there is an IMU subvention to the ICM as well as some provision in its budget to defray costs of the General Assembly Meeting that takes place just before the Congress; for 1998, these sums amount to 106.000 Swiss Frs. and 16.000 Swiss Frs., respectively.
It is important that good facilities to hold the Congress are available. All lectures should take place in sizable, well equipped, pleasant and audible rooms. Special attention should be given to the Plenary Talks.
The city and site of the Congress should be easily accessible. That is, flight connections from all over the world should be easily available, as well as transportation to the site of the Congress. Lodging facilities constitute an important item.
Finally, it is expected that the local mathematical community get involved in the preparations of the Congress, so as to create a nice ambiance during the meeting.