In brief
At a recent press conference, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the dramatic increase in global military expenditures, now at $2.7 trillion, jeopardizes essential investments in health, education, and economic development. In his report, slated to lead discussions at the forthcoming General Assembly, Guterres emphasizes that military spending serves to fuel arms races and deepen global mistrust instead of ensuring security. He advocates for a strategic rebalancing in global spending, arguing that investing in development can lead to a more peaceful world.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Increasing global military expenditures are compromising crucial investments in public services and do not ensure peace, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned recently.
Guterres stated that substantial military spending usually worsens peace efforts by fueling arms races, deepening mistrust, and diverting resources from the essential foundations of stability. With military spending rising to an unprecedented $2.7 trillion, the UN has examined the implications for sustainable development goals for 2030 in a report titled, The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future, which is scheduled for discussion at the General Assembly meeting beginning September 22.
The 17 goals established by world leaders in 2015 focus on a variety of pressing issues such as eradicating hunger, promoting good health, and providing quality education for every child, while also addressing global inequalities. In his July assessment of the 2025 goals, Guterres noted that merely 35% of the targets are on track to being met.
During the briefing, Guterres emphasized the need for action to recalibrate military expense priorities, stressing that the current trajectory is unsustainable. He remarked, A more secure world begins by investing at least as much in fighting poverty as we do in fighting wars.
According to findings from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, global military spending from last year could soar to $6.6 trillion by 2035 if trends continue. This increase is evident as over 100 countries raised their military budgets last year.
Guterres argued that redirecting even a small portion of military spending could significantly close global gaps, enabling investments in education, healthcare, clean energy, and infrastructure. The report highlights that only $93 million, less than 4% of last year's military expenditure, is needed per year to eradicate hunger by 2030. Additionally, $5 trillion could cover 12 years of quality education for all children in low-income nations.
While $1 billion in military funding creates around 11,200 military jobs, the same amount could generate 26,700 jobs in education, 16,800 in clean energy, and 17,200 in health care.
UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu stated that rebalancing these expenditures is crucial for humanity's survival, while Haoliang Xu from the UN Development Program underscored that development is essential for upholding international peace and security. Healthy, educated societies are often more peaceful, Xu added.
Nakamitsu addressed the challenge of persuading nations to divert military funds towards improving lives worldwide, declaring that a singular solution does not exist. The report aims to foster a serious dialogue within the UN's 193 member states and among the public about achieving real security through development and economic growth.
