“” The world spends much more to wage war than to build peace»The UN Secretary General António Guterres said during a press briefing for his new report On the threat posed by the constant increase in military spending.
Security expenditure has increased in the five global regions in 2024, marking the most steep increase from one year to the next for at least the last three decades. Compared to the 2.7 billions of dollars intended for military budgets, the world could eliminate extreme poverty for a little less than $ 300 billion.
“” A safer world begins by investing at least as much in the fight against poverty as in the fight against wars »» said Mr. Guterres.
A choice between help or weapons
The alarming amount spent on costs related to weapons last year is 750 times the regular budget of 2024 from the United Nations. It also has almost 13 times the development aid provided by the OECD Development aid committee in 2024, indicating a brutal compromise between military spending and sustainable development.
“Redirection even a fraction of today’s military spending could fill the vital gaps – Put children in school, strengthen primary health care, expand clean energy and resilient infrastructure and protect the most vulnerable, “said Guterres.
For a small part of what has been invested in the military in the past year-and the previous decade-the world could finance education for each student in medium-sized and low income countries, eliminate children’s malnutrition on a global scale, finance the adaptation of climate change in the world in development and bring the international community to achieve the adaptation of climate change in the world in development and bring the international community climate to the world development and bring the international community closer to achieve the adaptation of climate change in the world in development and bring the international community together to achieve adaptation Sustainable development objectives (ODD), the UN estimates.
“The rebalancing of global priorities is not optional – it is an imperative for the survival of humanity,” said the head of the United Nations Disarmament Izumi Nakamitsu during the press briefing.
“Sustainable development is in danger”
With only one of the five ODs on the right track, Mr. Guterres stressed that “our shared sustainable development promise is in danger”.
While more is spent for the military, the less spent on social investment, poverty reduction, education, health, environmental protection and infrastructure – hinders the progress of almost all SDGs and undermines The Charter of the United NationsThe UN Cornerstone document.
“But we know that development is an engine of security and multilateral development cooperation work,” said the United Nations Development Program (Predict) The deputy chief Haoliang XU.
“When people’s life improves, when they have access to education, health care, economic opportunities and when they can live a life of dignity and determination of self-determination, We will have more peaceful societies and a more peaceful world. “”
A new security approach
“Investing in people invested in the first line of defense against violence in any society,” said Guterres.
The report calls for a more centered and multidimensional approach that prioritizes diplomacy, international cooperation and opens the way to sustainable development.
In a vicious circle, the lack of economic opportunities, poverty and underdevelopment generate instability-fuel violence and an increase in army spending on the United Nations.
Investing in sustainable development and security has the potential to stop today’s arms race and reduce the need for military spending.
“” The proof is clear: excessive military expenditure does not guarantee peace“Said Mr. Guterres.” It often undermines him – nourish arms races, increase distrust and divert the resources from the very foundations of stability. »»
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
