"Regrettably, we have no dearth of locations where we are challenged and could use this kind of model today," Kerry said. "I'd just say parenthetically that in the Middle East, in the West Bank and Palestine, we are beginning to look at a similar kind of model in hope that we can combine our efforts over the long term to find new ways to build sustainable peace."

Kerry and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed the civil war in Syria, with Ban telling reporters the war was "appalling."

"Military and violent actions must be stopped by both parties, and it is thus imperative to have a peace conference in Geneva as soon as possible, as was initiated by Secretary Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister (Sergei) Lavrov," Ban said.

Ban said Ake Sellstrom, head of the U.N. chemical weapons investigation, and Angela Kane, U.N. high representative for disarmament, were in Syria to meet with government leaders. The topic of discussion is the U.N. investigation into whether the government or the rebels have used such weapons.