Guterres calls on world leaders to prioritise people over military spending

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged world leaders to shift spending away from wars and focus on fighting poverty and protecting the planet in 2026.

In his New Year’s message, Guterres said the world is facing mounting crises, including conflict, division, climate change and the erosion of international law, warning that these trends threaten the principles that bind humanity together.

He highlighted a sharp increase in global military spending, noting that worldwide defence expenditures have reached $2.7 trillion, a rise of around 10 percent. According to Guterres, this figure is 13 times higher than all global development aid combined and equals the total GDP of Africa.

He stressed that such spending comes at a time when global conflicts are at their highest level since the Second World War.

Guterres called on leaders to rethink global priorities, saying a safer world can only be achieved by investing in people rather than wars. He said humanity already has the resources needed to lift people out of poverty, restore the planet and secure a future based on peace and justice.

Looking ahead to 2026, he urged leaders to take a firmer stance and choose people and the planet over destruction and suffering, calling on governments and citizens alike to act with collective courage.

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