UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark New Year’s ultimatum to global leaders, demanding a radical shift from "the machinery of war" to the "mechanics of peace."

In a somber address marking the start of 2026, the UN chief warned that the international order is at a breaking point, crippled by a disregard for international law and a "staggering" misallocation of global wealth.

Guterres highlighted a widening chasm in global spending, noting that military expenditure has climbed to $2.7 trillion (£2.1tn). He pointed out that this figure is now thirteen times larger than the global development budget and roughly equivalent to the entire GDP of the African continent.

"The world is at a crossroads," Guterres said, describing the current era as the most volatile since the Second World War. "We have the tools to end hunger, protect our climate, and vaccinate every child on earth—but only if we choose to invest in people rather than destruction."

The Secretary-General’s message was not merely a reflection on a difficult year, but a direct challenge to the G20 and other major powers to "get serious" about justice. He argued that the current path of "climate collapse" and rising inequality is not inevitable, but a result of political choices.

As the world enters 2026, the UN’s message is clear: the global community must find the "courage to change course" before the breakdown of international stability becomes irreversible.