As Miss International 2013 pageant is approaching near and will be held in Tokyo Japan on the 17th Dec. 2013, a total of 77 contestants from around the world will vie for the crown. So we have compiled a list of the pageant highlights; debuts, controversies, replacements and appointments till date.

Guinea-Bissau is making Debuts this year

Returning countries and territories
Luxembourg last competed in 1996
Iceland and Kazakhstan last competed in 2004
Armenia last competed in 2007
Bahamas, Kenya, Lithuania, and South Sudan as Sudan last competed in 2010
Aruba, China, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, and Vietnam last competed in 2011
The reason behind some countries Withdrawal from the pageant:
Argentina: Zaida Schoop, due to lack funding, she withdrew.
Belize: No pageant organised
Cameroon: No pageant organised
Israel: Hodaya Cohen, undisclosed reasons.
Latvia: Svetlana Goldbergh, unknown reasons.
Sri Lanka: Simerene Rabot, due to age conscription, she already completed 27 years.
Turkey: Ahu Agisbas, due to age conscription, she is already 26 years.
U.S. Virgin Islands: No pageant organised

Replacements
India: Gurleen Grewal reinstates Zoya Afroz who is Indian Diva (Miss Universe India) 2013 1st Runner-up.
Lebanon: Layla Yarak was replaced by Deedee Zibara, the 1st Runner-up.
Deede Zibara was firstly won the contest; she could not contend due to some dreary issues between Ms. Zibara and the board.
Spain: Araceli Carrilero Martínez was replaced by Jara Rodríguez, the 1st Runner-up.
Jara Rodriguez was at first crowned, but she gave up the title due to unknown reasons.
Tahiti: Due to Maeva Simonin is unable to take part so Ohana will be replacing her at Miss international 2013.
United Kingdom: Sophie Moulds was replaced by Elizabeth Greenham.

Designations
After a casting call took place Kima Melikyan was selected as "Miss International Armenia 2013". She was Miss Tourism Armenia 2010.
Sarah Ainsley Harrison was chosen to represent Canada; she was previously Miss Universe Canada 2013 Contestant.
Yaritza Rivera was chosen to represent El Salvador; she was earlier Miss Earth El Salvador 2012.
Madli Vilsar was selected to represent Estonia; she was earlier Miss Estonia 2011.
Sigrún Eva Ármannsdóttir was appointed to represent Iceland; she was previously Ungfru Islands 2011.
Karina Zhetessova was chosen to represent Kazakhstan; she was a contestant at the Miss Kazakhstan 2012 contest.
Model Roselyne Muringo was chosen as "Miss International Kenya 2013" after a casting call took place.
Miss Global Malaysia 2012 Charissa Chong was selected to represent Malaysia.
Lucero Montemayor was selected to represent Mexico; she was the 1st runner-up at the Nuestra Belleza México 2012 pageant.
Miss Nederland 2012, Nathalie den Dekker was selected to represent Netherlands Miss Nederland 2012.
Miss Earth Peru 2011, Maria Gracia Figueroa was chosen to represent Peru; she was previously Miss Earth Peru 2011.
Katarzyna Oracka was selected to represent Poland; she was in the Top 10 at the Miss Polonia 2012 pageant.
Margaryta Gorbyk was chosen as "Miss International Ukraine 2013" after a casting call took place.