United Nations’ Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has decried how countries across the globe spent over $2.7 trillion on weapons in 2025.
Mr Guterres called on every nation to unite and contribute one per cent of the $2.7 trillion which would amount to $23 billion to the United Nations to save 87 million lives.
The UN’s secretary general warned that the world was approaching a dangerous crossroads.
He also called on world leaders to change their priorities from militarisation to peace, development and climate action as military, noting that expenses on militarisation had reached record levels.
In his New Year video message which was seen by Peoples Gazette, Mr Guterres said the international community was grappling with deepening global instability marked by widening divisions, escalating violence, climate breakdown and persistent violations of international law.
“The world stands at a crossroads,” Mr Guterres said revealing that “global military expenditure has surged to about $2.7 trillion, representing nearly a 10 per cent increase and a level he described as deeply alarming.
“This is 13 times higher than total global development aid and roughly equal to the entire GDP of Africa,” he added.
He further noted that the rise in defence spending comes at a time when conflicts were raging at levels not seen since the Second World War, while millions of people continue to suffer from abject poverty, inequality, displacement and the devastating impacts of climate change.
He noted that the trend reflected misplaced global priorities, adding that the resources being invested into weapons and war could be used to transform lives if invested in education, healthcare, climate resilience and sustainable development.
“A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars,” Mr Guterres stated.
He explained that the world had more than enough resources to improve living standards, protect the planet and build a future anchored on peace and justice if the needed political will was applied.
On 2026, Mr Guterres challenged global leaders to make decisive choices that place people, dignity and the environment above conflict and suffering.
He stated, “Our future depends on our collective courage to act.”