“The world stands at a crossroads,” he warned, highlighting how conflict, climate issues, and systemic violations of international law are diminishing trust in global leaders.
“Are leaders listening? Are they ready to act?” he questioned.
Mr. Guterres emphasized the widespread suffering, pointing out that over a quarter of the world’s population resides in conflict zones. 200 million people require humanitarian aid, while nearly 120 million have been displaced due to war, crises, disasters, or persecution.
He pointed out a significant imbalance in global priorities.
“As we close a turbulent year, one fact stands out: global military spending reached $2.7 trillion,” he stated, nearly 10 percent higher than the previous year.
This amount, he noted, is 13 times greater than total global development aid and matches the GDP of the entire African continent. If trends continue, military spending could surpass $6.6 trillion by 2035, while humanitarian needs increase.
A path to hope
Despite the bleak statistics, the Secretary-General insisted solutions are attainable.
In September 2025, he will release the report The security we need: rebalancing military spending for a sustainable and peaceful future. The report reveals how modest shifts in spending could yield significant change.
Less than 4% of current military expenditures could eradicate world hunger by 2030, while just over 10% could ensure full vaccination of all children. Redirecting 15% would more than cover the annual cost of climate adaptation for developing
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