UPDATED 8.14AM Prime Minister John Key is hoping he can be the one to get world leaders to agree this week on ending the conflict in Syria.
LISTEN ABOVE: Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully speaks to Mike HoskingÂ
He will be in New York for United Nations leaders' week, and with New Zealand coming towards the end of its presidency of the Security Council, he has invited council leaders to discuss Syria.
SEE ALSO: The Soap Box: Key's anticipated moment in the UN spotlight
Speaking in a video message about his trip, the Prime Minister said Syria is a "devastating crisis".
"There's an urgent need to end the conflict and to address the humanitarian suffering that it has caused.
"This means having an honest discussion about what's happening and what needs to be done.
"There are no guarantees or quick fixes but the Security Council can not stand back."
It comes as a US-Russian brokered ceasefire is now endangered, with tensions between Moscow and Washington escalating.
US-led coalition airstrikes have killed dozens of Syrian soldiers.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully told Mike Hosking New Zealand has been meeting in private with Security Council members, ahead of Wednesday's meeting.
"There won't be another shot at this in this calendar year because of the US Presidential elections.
"So despite the words that were exchanged yesterday between Russia and the United States, I still think that they both understand how important it is to try and salvage the deal."
Mr McCully said while often it seems there are no solutions in sight, it's important to keep moving forward.
Amnesty International has welcomed New Zealand's efforts to bring world leaders around the UN Security Council table and discuss ways to end the five-year old conflict in Syria.
Amnesty Spokesman Carsten Bockemuehl said they expect Mr Key to do three things, and to begin with pushing for the extension of the ceasefire.
"We also expect Key to push for sustained humanitarian aid access - food, water and medication, and to push for accountability for war crimes."
"The bloodshed in Syria and the global refugee crisis are two of the worst human rights tragedies of our lifetime. We need the prime minister to meaningfully address them and forge practical solutions", he said.
Since 2011, more than 300,000 people have been killed and nearly 11 million people, half Syria's population, have been displaced during the civil war.
The United States and Russia have been drawn into the conflict, which involves Bashar al-Assad's government, Syrian rebels and Islamic State.
Last week, Murray McCully in his address to the UN was highly critical of Israel and Palestinians and warned the council its 50-year goal a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis is close to failure.
Additional reporting by NZ Newswire
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