In brief
At a recent UN briefing, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the adverse impacts of soaring global military spending, which has reached a record $2.7 trillion. He warned that such expenditures undermine peace and stability while diverting essential resources away from health, education, and job creation. Guterres called for a reevaluation of budget priorities ahead of the upcoming General Assembly discussions, presenting a stark comparison of military spending versus investment in global developmental goals, like ending hunger and ensuring education for all.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised alarms regarding the significant rise in global military expenditures which he believes impede investment in crucial areas like health, education, and job creation. Speaking on Tuesday, Guterres indicated that heavy military spending does not ensure peace, but rather contributes to escalating arms races and deepening mistrust among nations.
According to a recent UN report titled “The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future,” military spending has surged to an unprecedented $2.7 trillion. This is observed at a critical time when the UN aims to fulfill its development goals for 2030. The report’s findings will likely play a pivotal role in discussions at the upcoming General Assembly starting on September 22.
The 17 goals, adopted by world leaders in 2015, include tackling global hunger, enhancing health, and ensuring quality education for every child. Unfortunately, Guterres noted that as of his July report, only 35% of these global objectives are on track for completion.
Highlighting the report's significance, he referred to the need for global budgets and spending to be rebalanced urgently, stressing that the current military spending trajectory is unsustainable.
A more secure world begins by investing at least as much in fighting poverty as we do in fighting wars, Guterres stated, further explaining that according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the annual military budget is projected to rise to $6.6 trillion by 2035.
Despite the vast sums allocated to military endeavors, Guterres emphasized that redirecting even a small fraction of military spending could significantly close the essential gaps in addressing vital needs. Currently, only $93 million is required annually to eradicate hunger by 2030, and an estimate of $5 trillion could ensure 12 years of quality education for every child in impoverished nations. The UN notes that $1 billion allocated to military spending can generate about 11,200 military jobs, while the same investment in education can create significantly more jobs.
UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu pointed out that rethinking global priorities is vital for humanity's survival. The conversation initiated through the report aims to engage the UN's 193 member states in reevaluating how national security can be achieved through enhanced investment in sustainable development and economic growth.
