United Nations, Dec 30: Warning that the world is surrounded by “chaos and uncertainty”, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his New Year message issued in Hindi for the first time, called on global leaders to prioritise development aid over rising military expenditure.
“On this new year, let’s resolve to get our priorities straight,” Guterres said. “A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars.” Declaring that “peace must prevail”, he urged leaders to focus on people and sustainable development.
As part of India’s ongoing efforts to promote the use of Hindi at the United Nations, the Secretary-General’s New Year message was released as a written text in Hindi for the first time. A separate video version of the address also featured Hindi subtitles.
Guterres painted a bleak picture of a world drifting away from “the very principles that bind us together as a human family”, marked by rising divisions, violence, climate breakdown and systemic violations of international law.
“As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads,” he said. “Chaos and uncertainty surround us.” He added that people across the globe are increasingly questioning whether their leaders are listening or prepared to act.
Highlighting the imbalance in global priorities, Guterres said military spending has surged to $2.7 trillion, a rise of nearly 10 per cent, which is about 13 times higher than total development aid and equivalent to the entire GDP of Africa.
“In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain,” said Guterres, who is set to complete his term as UN Secretary-General next year.
India has been actively supporting the use of Hindi at the UN through the “Hindi@UN Project”. In February, India signed a five-year memorandum of understanding renewing the initiative, committing $1.5 million annually. Since its inception, India has underwritten the project at a total cost of approximately $6.8 million.