UN Chief Warns Prioritizing Defense Over Climate Aid is ’Self-Defeating’
NEW YORK – increased global defence spending is ultimately pointless without parallel investment in climate change mitigation and international development, outgoing United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Administrator achim Steiner warned. Steiner argued that a narrow focus on national security, neglecting the destabilizing effects of climate change and debt crises, is a fundamentally flawed approach in the current global landscape.
Steiner’s remarks come as international cooperation faces “almost unprecedented stress,” stemming from both defunding and a lack of viable solutions to increasingly disruptive global challenges. He highlighted a concerning reversal in development progress since the pandemic, with numerous countries burdened by debt levels so high they are forced to divert funds from essential services like health and education simply to cover interest payments. “They’re certainly unable to raise the capital to invest in the foundations of future development,” Steiner said.
The UNDP chief emphasized that true national security now requires addressing threats that can only be reduced through international collaboration. He argued for a basic shift in how nations define their interests, recognizing the interconnectedness of global challenges. “The basic DNA of national security in our time must have a component that de-risks some of the threats that are, by definition, only reducible by international cooperation.”
Steiner, who concluded his tenure at UNDP in June after leading the UN Environment Programme, has not yet been replaced. Haoliang Xu, a UN under-secretary general, is currently serving as acting administrator. His warning echoes growing concerns about the impact of geopolitical tensions and economic instability on efforts to address the climate crisis and achieve sustainable development goals. A recent report highlighted the devastating consequences of aid cuts in east Africa, linking them to increased rates of unwanted abortions and HIV transmission.
