In a report, the organization noted that global military spending reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, representing an increase of more than nine percent compared to 2023.

Furthermore, he noted that this figure is equivalent to $334 for every person on Earth and, if the current trend continues, will reach a total of $6.6 trillion in 2035.

During the presentation of the study, Guterres indicated that governments have responsibilities: they must protect the civilian population, safeguard infrastructure, and address immediate threats, but that “lasting security is not achieved through military spending alone.”

The UN chief expressed concern about the rise in violence around the world and condemned a recent Israeli attack on Qatar, which he considered a flagrant violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also affirmed that all parties must work to achieve a permanent ceasefire, not destroy it. According to the UN, military spending in 2024 is 13 times greater than the amount of official aid from the richest nations to the least developed ones, and 750 times greater than the organization’s regular budget.

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