Disarmament by the numbers
World military spending continues to soar. The human and economic toll of violence remains staggering. Learn more about the need for disarmament and arms control.
Since its inception, the United Nations has recognized the profound implications of disarmament and arms control. In 1946, just months after the devastating nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed over 200,000 people and left a legacy of suffering, the took its first official action, establishing the "Commission to Deal with the Problems Raised by the Discovery of Atomic Energy." This marked the beginning of the UN's long-standing commitment to disarmament, a resolve enshrined in its Charter, which calls for saving "succeeding generations from the scourge of war."
Over the years, the UN has spearheaded the development of a comprehensive framework for disarmament, resulting in 28 international treaties addressing a wide spectrum of weapons, from weapons of mass destruction to conventional arms. These treaties represent significant steps towards a safer world.
Weapons of mass destruction
fall into three categories: nuclear, biological, and chemical. While all pose significant threats, their potential lethality and destructive capacity vary considerably. Biological and chemical weapons have a history of deployment, notably during World War I. Nuclear weapons, devastatingly demonstrated in 1945, stand apart.
Nuclear weapons: The nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki serve as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of nuclear weapons. Despite efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals, approximately 12,400 nuclear weapons remain in existence today, with nearly 10,000 in reserve.
Moreover, between 1945 and 1996, more than 2,000 nuclear weapon tests were conducted, many far exceeding the destructive power of the Hiroshima bombing, according to the .
The lingering radioactivity from these tests can still be detected in diverse locations, from elephant tusks to the coral of the Great Barrier Reef and the deepest ocean trenches. Since the 's adoption in 1996, the frequency of nuclear testing has dramatically decreased, with fewer than a dozen tests conducted. Only one country has tested nuclear weapons in the 21st Century.
International treaties, many negotiated at the UN, can be highly effective tools for arms control. The , considered a cornerstone of efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation, fosters cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The , which entered into force in 2021, established the first legal framework specifically aimed at the elimination of nuclear weapons and became the first international commitment on nuclear disarmament in 15 years.
Chemical weapons: The horrors of chemical warfare were tragically demonstrated during World War I, when over 124,000 tons of chemical agents were released, causing nearly 100,000 deaths and leaving millions with horrific injuries.
The has led to the verified destruction of 100 per cent of the world's declared chemical weapons stockpiles since 1997.
Biological weapons: While not used on the same scale as nuclear or chemical weapons, biological weapons pose a growing threat, particularly in the context of bioterrorism.
The , the first disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, entered into force in 1975, and has since been ratified by 187 countries.
Despite progress, disarmament is now more critical than ever. The world remains over-armed and technological advancements have led to the development of more powerful and readily accessible weapons, not only for governments but also for non-state actors, including criminal groups.
The (WHO), for example, warns of the increasing risk of bioterrorism. Rapid advances in fields like synthetic biology and gene-editing technologies, while offering significant potential benefits, also raise concerns about the possible creation of engineered, highly dangerous pathogens. WHO and its partners continue to manage global outbreak surveillance, early warning and response networks to address potential threats.
Conventional weapons
Often overlooked, inflict immense suffering and have far-reaching consequences, tearing at the fabric of peaceful societies. These "weapons of terror," commonly used in conflict and crime, range from small arms like firearms and rifles to landmines, rockets, tanks, and artillery.
Small arms claim over 700 lives daily¡ªone person every two minutes. Between 2015 and 2021, intentional homicides surpassed conflict-related deaths globally. In 2021, firearms were responsible for 40 per cent of violent deaths worldwide, and nearly 70 per cent in some regions.
The notes that small arms destabilize governance, weaken institutions, and stifle economic growth and equality, causing widespread suffering that can lead to entrenched poverty, insecurity, and further violence.
The , in force since 2014, establishes common standards for the international trade of conventional weapons and aims to curb the illicit arms trade, estimated at over $7 billion annually, though likely much higher due to undocumented transactions.
Landmines continue to devastate lives and livelihoods. In 2023, nearly 6,000 people were killed or injured globally, with civilians accounting for over 80 per cent of casualties, and children making up more than a third of civilian victims. Over 60 countries and territories remain contaminated by landmines, including some where these weapons are still being deployed.
Since the adoption of the and the creation of the nearly 30 years ago, millions of landmines have been successfully removed, and land has been cleared for productive use, such as farming and infrastructure. This treaty stands as a powerful example of grassroots activism influencing international policy, largely driven by organizations like the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and activist Jody Williams who both received the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for their work on the treaty's adoption.
The , which entered into force in 2003 and has been ratified by 192 countries, is another significant legal instrument addressing illicit firearms trafficking. It promotes increased international cooperation, enabling countries to collaborate on investigating complex criminal networks, extraditing offenders, and recovering illicit assets.
The world is over-armed and peace is underfunded
Global military spending surged to a record $2.4 trillion in 2023, the ninth consecutive year of growth. In the same year, the economic impact of small arms violence cost $22.6 billion, surpassing official development assistance for education ($14.4 billion) and healthcare ($21.8 billion) in developing countries. Overall, official development assistance in 2023 totaled $223 billion¡ªless than 10 per cent of global military spending.
Redirecting even a portion of these military expenditures could address critical development challenges, including poverty, economic instability, and inequality. The UN Peacebuilding Fund, which supports at least 40 countries in post-conflict rebuilding, operates on a multiyear budget of $1.5 billion. in 11 countries currently require $5.59 billion to aid communities in their transition from war to peace. Both figures represent less than 1 per cent of global military spending.
The , seeking $47 billion, could provide life-saving aid to 190 million people across 72 countries, many of whom have been displaced by conflict. The Global Peace Index estimates the global economic impact of violence in 2023 at $19.1 trillion, underscoring the enormous financial burden of war and conflict.
A fraction of current arms spending could significantly improve lives. For example, the cost of a single battle tank could fund malaria treatment for an estimated 26,000 people. The price of one stealth fighter could provide a year of schooling for 200,000 children. And the cost of one aircraft carrier could reforest an area three times the size of Costa Rica. Investments in education, healthcare, and solutions like reforestation are among humanity's most effective tools for addressing the root causes of violence and conflict.
Disarmament is a complex and ongoing process, facing numerous challenges, including political tensions, security concerns and technological advancements. Today, there are concerns over the weaponization of cyberspace and outer space. The integration of digital tools with weapon systems, including autonomous systems, presents new vulnerabilities.
Despite these growing threats, the UN remains steadfast in its commitment to global disarmament, prioritizing negotiations and diplomacy. The UN envisions a world where resources are dedicated to peace, security and development, not violence and destruction.
In 2024, UN Member States adopted the Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future. This landmark agreement, spearheaded by UN Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres, culminated years of inclusive dialogue aimed at adapting international cooperation to both present realities and future challenges.
The Pact represents the first multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in over a decade. Critically, it also includes commitments from Member States to take steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and establish governance frameworks for lethal autonomous weapons.