Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smriti Irani will address the high level segment of the 'International Conference on the Zero', an event celebrating the rich and remarkable history of mathematics, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 4-5 April.

Irani along with the Director General, UNESCO will also unveil a bronze bust of the ancient Indian mathematician-astronomer Aryabhata, which is a gift from India to UNESCO, as its tribute to the world of Mathematics and Science.

The Government of India, through the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, and together with the Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris, will host the International Conference on the. The International Conference will share the rich and remarkable history of mathematics, through the participation of some brilliant minds, resonating with the UNESCO's mandate to advance, transfer and share knowledge for the greater global good. The International Conference in Paris will open on 4th April at the Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris, with a session by Professor Manjul Bhargava, Fields Medalist and Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University on 'Gems of Ramanujan and their lasting Impact on Mathematics'.

Session two at UNESCO on 'Negative Numbers, Zero, Infinity and Beyond' will be addressed by Dr. Shailendra Mehta from Auro University, Gujarat. There will also be a Panel Discussion on the 'Arabic Traditions in Mathematics'. Special Session by Professor Manjul Bhargava on 'Mathematics in Indian Music' will be a high point of the Conference.

Through the length of the event at UNESCO, there will be visual and interactive sessions, including films on Mathematics and Science, and interactive problem solving events designed for a young audience. In this category, the highlight will be 'Zero: Infinity and Set Theory' conducted by Mr. Romain Attal from the Palais de La Decouverte in Paris.

Irani participated in the high level segment, the Leaders' Forum, held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris on November 16-17, 2015 as a part of the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference. During this visit, the Minister also held a meeting with the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, to discuss the full range of India's cooperation with the organization.

As a follow up to the discussions held during the bilateral meeting, for the first time, both the leaders issued Joint Statement on the occasion of the National Mathematics Day, i.e. 22nd December, which is the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the great Indian intellectual and mathematician. Both the leaders agreed to organize in 2016 a Conference on 'Zero' at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.