‘Peace is the best medicine’: WHO Chief highlights rising military spending; urges for more spending on global health initiatives
Summary
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlights record global military spending of $2.7 trillion in 2024 and urges increased funding for global health initiatives, calling peace the best medicine.
Key Points
- Global military spending is projected to reach a record $2.7 trillion in 2024 with further rises expected in 2025.
- Funding for global health initiatives has declined significantly despite ongoing global health threats.
- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls for prioritizing peace and increased investment in health over military expenditures.
- US President Donald Trump announced plans to increase the 2027 military budget to $1.5 trillion and withdrew the US from multiple international organizations including WHO.
