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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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. strikes on Iran entered a 12th consecutive night, while Yemen's Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, urging President Donald Trump to warn Tehran it would be held responsible for any future Houthi attacks.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Aleksandar Vučić's visit to Kyiv on 15 July appeared to send a geopolitical signal. But the significance of the trip lies less in the journey itself than in the limits Serbia carefully observed.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are facing renewed Western scrutiny after the EU expanded sanctions targeting Russia's supply chains and the U.S. introduced new tariffs affecting trade with Central Asia.
A fast-moving wildfire has forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate homes and camping sites near France's Atlantic coast as extreme heat and worsening drought continue to fuel wildfires across Europe.
Fresh off attracting $4.3 billion in foreign investment and loans during the first half of 2026, Tashkent is using the Global Business Services Forum (GBSF) to showcase Uzbekistan's growing appeal as a destination for international investment in technology, outsourcing and artificial intelligence.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has begun his first week working from No 10 North in Manchester, promising to shift power away from London, strengthen regional decision-making and drive economic growth across the country.
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