NEW YORK, United States — The United Nations has warned that the risk of nuclear weapons being used has reached levels not seen in decades, as global tensions, rising military spending, and expanding weapons technologies deepen international insecurity.
Speaking on Thursday during the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, António Guterres urged world leaders to step back from growing rivalries, halt arms races, and recommit to global disarmament efforts.
“Our dream of peace is in peril,” Guterres said, warning that the world is entering a dangerous period marked by intensifying conflicts and rapid advances in weapons technology.
The UN chief cautioned that geopolitical tensions and ongoing wars have pushed global military expenditure to record levels while the spread of weapons continues to destabilise many regions.
“The threat of nuclear weapons use is the highest in decades,” he said.
Guterres also warned about the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons, which he said are fuelling violence and instability in many parts of the world.
“Small arms and light weapons are proliferating,” he said, adding that emerging military technologies are making modern warfare more destructive and unpredictable.
“Emerging technologies are making conflicts even deadlier.”
The Secretary-General said the combination of rising geopolitical tensions, expanding nuclear arsenals, and technological changes is creating a volatile global environment that requires urgent diplomatic intervention.
“The global tensions are pushing military spending to stratospheric levels,” he said.
According to international defence estimates, global military spending reached roughly Sh348.3 trillion in 2024, the highest level ever recorded, reflecting growing competition among major powers.
Guterres urged governments to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue over confrontation.
“We must lower the temperature. I urge leaders to step back from the brink,” he said.
He also warned countries against provocative rhetoric or actions that could heighten the risk of conflict.
“Stop rattling the nuclear sabre. Halt the arms races.”
The UN chief called on states to strengthen international agreements and institutions designed to control the spread of destructive weapons and prevent catastrophic conflict.
“It’s time to invest in the architecture of peace, not the tools of war,” he said.
He added that rebuilding trust among nations and strengthening global monitoring systems is essential to prevent the development, testing, and deployment of increasingly deadly weapons.
The warning comes as several global conflicts continue to raise international security concerns.
The war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022, has significantly heightened tensions between Moscow and Western nations while prompting increased defence spending across Europe.
In the Middle East, tensions involving Israel and Iran — alongside the involvement of the United States — have also raised fears of broader regional escalation.
Meanwhile, nuclear-armed states continue to modernise their arsenals as several arms-control agreements weaken or lapse, increasing concerns among security analysts about the possibility of a renewed global arms race.
Guterres said preventing a catastrophic conflict requires coordinated international action.
“Together, we can prevent catastrophes and ensure a safe and peaceful world for all,” he said.
Disarmament experts say the UN warning underscores the urgent need for renewed diplomatic engagement and stronger international commitments to reduce both nuclear and conventional weapons threats.
The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness serves as an annual reminder that global peace depends on sustained efforts to control weapons and resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than conflict.
