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Antonio Guterres in Geneva: The World Urgently Needs to Restore Trust and Halt the Arms Race
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for an urgent restoration of international trust amid rising geopolitical tensions and record levels of global military spending.
In a speech delivered during the high-level segment of the disarmament conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Guterres emphasized that the world is experiencing a “period of chaotic change,” criticizing the blatant violations of international law and the reckless use of force in several conflict areas.
He pointed out that these developments are fueling new arms races, noting that global military spending reached approximately $2.7 trillion last year, which is equivalent to 13 times the size of development aid and matches the gross domestic product of the entire African continent.
The UN chief warned against what he termed “security illusions,” arguing that hardline rhetoric may provide a temporary sense of reassurance but does not offer real or sustainable security, stressing that disarmament is a fundamental means of preventing wars, rather than a luxury associated with peaceful times.
Regarding nuclear weapons, Guterres affirmed that disarmament mechanisms have proven effective in reducing arsenals and avoiding catastrophic risks. He expressed appreciation for the commitment of the United States and Russia to continue binding agreements despite the expiration of the New START treaty on February 5, which set limits on strategic nuclear weapons for both countries, which possess the majority of the world’s nuclear stockpile.
He indicated that the expiration of this treaty leaves a void in an internationally fragmented context, with the nuclear discourse re-emerging at the forefront of contemporary conflicts.
Guterres called for the establishment of a renewed international security system based on cooperation and escalation prevention, urging the conference on disarmament to regain its full role as a negotiating body. He emphasized that halting the nuclear arms race is an urgent priority, alongside preventing an arms race in outer space and working toward the complete elimination of nuclear weapons in the future.
