UN Chief Calls for Shift from War Spending to Human Development in 2026
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on world leaders to urgently rethink global priorities in 2026, warning that rising military expenditure is fuelling instability rather than delivering lasting security.
In his New Year’s message, Mr. Guterres said the world is entering the year at a critical crossroads, confronted by escalating conflicts, deepening global divisions, climate pressures, and repeated violations of international law.
He noted that global military spending has surged to an estimated US$2.7 trillion, an almost 10 percent increase within a single year. The UN chief described the figure as starkly disproportionate, pointing out that it is 13 times higher than total global development aid and roughly equal to Africa’s entire gross domestic product.
According to Mr. Guterres, this imbalance reflects a troubling contradiction: enormous resources are being channelled into warfare at a time when millions of people face poverty, food insecurity, and climate-related shocks.
“A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars,” he said, stressing that peace, development and human dignity are inseparable.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Secretary-General urged governments to make deliberate policy choices that prioritise people and the planet over conflict and short-term political interests. He argued that the financial and institutional capacity to address global challenges already exists, but requires stronger political will.
Mr. Guterres also appealed to citizens worldwide to remain engaged and demand accountability from leaders, emphasising that sustainable peace depends on collective action.
“Our future depends on our shared determination to choose cooperation over confrontation,” he said, calling for renewed global commitment to justice, solidarity and peace in the year ahead.
