Bhubaneswar, July 29: Nearly 600 students from 14 different countries have arrived in the city to take part in the Model United Nations-2016, which began today at Sai International School here.

Students from schools in Egypt, China, South Africa, Morocco, the Philippines, Tunisia, Indonesia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Turkey, the United States and Australia will take part in the three-day annual event.

Students from top government junior colleges and other CBSE schools will also take part in the event and address issues of global concern through deliberations and consensus.

"Countries are only geographical territory; we need to be united to bring in sustainable and equitable development. We need to join hands and focus on checking environmental degradation and poverty, " school education minister Debi Prasad Mishra said after inaugurating the event.

The event - Saimun - is based on the International Model United Nations (Imun) organised by the United Nations and aims to provide the students with a platform to debate on contemporary international issues.

The students have been divided into eight committees - International Maritime Organisation, International Monetary Fund, United Nations Human Settlement Programme, World Health Organisation, United Nations Human Rights Council, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Security Council and Commonwealth of Nations (regional committee) - to discuss various global issues.The discussions range from macroeconomic stability in resource-rich countries, the role of fiscal policy, development of national urban policy and human rights violation.

School chairman Bijoy Sahoo outlined global crises such as crumpling economy, climate change, health issues, terrorism and the role of students in combating these.

The students also appeared very enthusiastic throughout the inaugural session. "This conference will help us inculcate leadership and discipline and I wish all the students become responsible citizens of their respective countries," said Sharara Yale, from the US.

"The event gives the students a platform to learn debating and winning and getting a point across, not by force but reason," said Sai International School principal Harish Sanduja.