Secondary school students gather for model UN conference in Cork

Among the debate topics for this year's event are: Taliban rule in Afghanistan; NATO expansion; drug-trafficking and the threat drug cartels pose; and the integration of transgender people in sport and society

Pictured on the opening day of the Davis College Model United Nations (DCMUN) at Cork City Hall were Deputy Secretary-General Cormac Shanahan, Chief of Staff Ava Howell and Secretary-General Charlie O'Callaghan.

Hundreds of secondary school students from across Ireland have gathered in Cork for a conference to debate some of the biggest issues facing Ireland and the wider world.

The sixth annual Davis College Model United Nations Conference (DCMUN) began in Cork City Hall on Tuesday and runs until Friday.