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Washington : Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio following his address to the Our Ocean, One Future conference at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. The conferences focus on marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, and climate-related impacts on the ocean.AP/PTI(AP9_17_2016_000031B) Image Credit: AP

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has enlisted Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, Michael Douglas and other stars to plead for peace and the survival of the planet, which he says is “closer to conflict than we may like to think.”

The UN chief, who grew up during the 1950-53 Korean War, said that around the world conflicts are driving millions of families from their homes, depriving children of an education and subjecting many to abuse and exploitation.

At a ceremony on Friday to commemorate the International Day of Peace on September 21, Ban was joined by five UN Messengers of Peace — DiCaprio, Wonder, Douglas, Japanese violinist Midori, and primatologist Jane Goodall — as well as three Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Ban urged all combatants to lay down their arms on September 21.

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WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: Actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio prepares to announce the launch of the Global Fishing Watch during the Our Oceans conference at the State Department's Harry S. Truman building September 15, 2016 in Washington, DC. A project of Oceana, SkyTruth and Google, Global Fishing Watch allows anyone with an internet connection to monitor the activities of large commercial fishing vessels across the globe. According to the State Department, the conference will bring scientists, political leaders and advocates together to focus on 'key ocean issues of our time , marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, and climate-related impacts on the ocean.' Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY == Image Credit: AFP
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