On April 16, 2026, the Third Meeting of the Sixth Council of the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic (hereinafter referred to as WAAMA) and the Tenth Seminar for Academic Exchanges on Abacus and Mental Arithmetic was held in a combination of offline and online formats. The meeting was attended by Ou Wenhan, President of the Sixth Council of WAAMA and President of the Chinese Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association, along with Vice Presidents of WAAMA. The meeting was chaired by Cheng Beiping, Secretary General of WAAMA (China).

On behalf of the Sixth Council, President Ou Wenhan delivered the report on the work of WAAMA in 2025. He pointed out that WAAMA has followed its constitutional purposes, scientifically planned its work in accordance with the requirements of UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and made positive progress in areas such as organizational development, academic research, pilot appraisal, and member services. Based on local realities, member units have carried out diverse activities in abacus and mental arithmetic education, competitive events, and cultural exchanges, effectively promoting the living heritage and sustainable development of abacus and mental arithmetic worldwide. Looking ahead, WAAMA will adopt a broader vision and more practical measures to protect the intangible cultural heritage of abacus, deepen educational practices, strengthen service awareness, consolidate member synergy, focus on key tasks, enhance work effectiveness, and jointly promote higher-quality development of the global abacus and mental arithmetic cause.

The meeting reviewed and approved the work plan of WAAMA for 2026; approved the membership applications of Beijing SHENMO Education Institution, China and JW EDUCATION PVT LTD, India; agreed to the withdrawal of the relevant association from membership; and approved the co-option and resignation of relevant council members and standing council member. The meeting also discussed the preparations for the 9th Competition of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of WAAMA.

The Tenth Seminar for Academic Exchanges on Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of WAAMA was held on the same day. Professor Zhou Xinlin from Beijing Normal University elaborated on the unique value and neural mechanisms of abacus as situated mathematics, as well as its positive effects on children's number sense, spatial ability, and attention span. Mr. Siu Wing Man, President of the Hong Kong Mental Math Academy, Hong Kong SAR, China shared strategies such as gamification mechanisms and growth mindset for the innovative development of abacus-based mental arithmetic in the AI era, pointing out that the deep concentration and inner peace it brings to children are irreplaceable by any AI product. Ms. Sophio Tetunashvili, the teacher from the Competitive Mental Calculation Federation of Georgia, expressed their recognition and active practice of the value of Chinese Zhusuan, demonstrated through practice the comprehensive positive impact of abacus-based mental arithmetic on children, and called for abacus-based mental arithmetic to become a worldwide intellectual sport at an early date, promoting mental development for more children globally and creating a more harmonious future.

A total of over 80 participants, including WAAMA council members, representatives of member units, experts, and journalists from 19 countries and regions, attended the meeting. These included Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong SAR, China, Taiwan, China, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Tonga, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.