UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Forty-two world leaders kick off the second day of the 71st United Nations General Assembly.
Leaders representing China, Afghanistan, the EU, Pakistan, Japan and Ukraine are among those slated to deliver their annual addresses in New York on Wednesday.
On the opening day Tuesday, Syria and the refugee and migrant crisis were the focus of many U.N. speeches.
In a statement Wednesday, the International Day of Peace, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on warring parties to lay down their arms and observe a 24-hour global cease-fire.
“The symbolism of a day without fighting is a crucial reminder that conflict can and must come to an end,” the U.N. chief said.