Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his New Year message, emphasized the importance of prioritizing development aid over military expenditure for a safer world. He highlighted the need to invest more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars to achieve peace. Guterres also underlined the significance of global leaders listening to the calls for action amidst a world facing chaos and uncertainty.
In a significant move, the Indian government supported the promotion of Hindi at the UN by releasing the secretary-general’s New Year message in Hindi for the first time. This effort aligns with India’s commitment to enhancing the use of Hindi in international forums. Guterres painted a grim picture of a world grappling with division, violence, climate breakdown, and violations of international law, urging leaders to prioritize people and the planet over other concerns.
Highlighting the alarming rise in global military spending, which has reached $2.7 trillion, Guterres stressed the need for leaders to focus on sustainable development. He pointed out that military spending has outpaced development aid significantly, making a case for a shift in priorities. As Guterres prepares to conclude his tenure as the head of the UN next year, he called on leaders worldwide to prioritize the well-being of people and the planet in their decision-making.
India’s ongoing support for promoting Hindi at the UN was reaffirmed through a memorandum of understanding signed to renew the “Hindi@UN Project” for another five years. The agreement, signed by Permanent Representative P. Harish and Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming, reflects India’s commitment to sustaining the project with an annual contribution of $1.5 million.
