Pax Christi: Massive increase in Military Spending across the world

Credit: Pax Christi

Source: Pax Christi England and Wales

This year's Global Days of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS) have been marked 12 April - 15 May. New figures on military spending published by the Stockholm International Peace Institute have showed that military spending across the world has grown to a massive $2.44 trillion - the highest level of spending since the end of the Cold War. Spending by the UK increased by 7.9% which was a higher increase even than in the U.S.

Within days of these figures being published, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that UK military spending would reach 2.5% of GDP by 2030.

Pax Christi is part of a coalition of organisations whose analysis of the Spring Budget in March showed that core military spending in the UK had already reached £54.2 billion over the previous year - 4.8 times the budget for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - which is responsible for the vast majority of the UK's overseas aid budget - and 7.2 times the budget of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero - which is responsible for government spending on climate action.

As part of our own GDAMS campaign, we joined 'Scrap Weapons' in hosting a consultation event for faith groups on a call for a fourth UN Special Session on Disarmament.

In his New Agenda for Peace, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has recognised the need "to reform the disarmament machinery" and has called for the establishment of "an inter-governmental process to…consider the role, timing and preparations of a special session of the General Assembly on disarmament."

Pax Christi AGM

Our AGM 2024 will be held on Saturday 1 June at the Quaker Meeting House, Liverpool at 10.30am for an 11.00 am start as well as online on zoom. All are welcome to join us and you can find the official Notice of the AGM and all the details on the dedicated AGM page on our website - see below.

The day will include: Reports on our activities and finances, Elections to our Executive Committee, A reflection from our President, Discussion on how Pax Christi develops to face the challenges of the future.

76th Anniversary of the Nakba

Wednesday 15 May will be the 76th anniversary of the Nakba (Catastrophe), a reminder of the tragic events of 1948 when Palestinian people lost their homes, their land and their way of life. On that day, we invite you to light a candle and take time in silence, individually, in groups, communities, parishes, to pray for peace in the Holy Land. Please let us know of anything you do that day and send us photos so that we can let our friends and partners in the Holy Land know.

International Conscientious Objectors' Day

International Conscientious Objectors' Day is the same day - Wednesday 15 May.

Every year, we mark International Conscientious Objectors' Day, remembering conscientious objectors, both past and present. Around the world many people are imprisoned or forced to flee their home countries for refusing to join armed forces. On the 15 May, we stand in solidarity with them and celebrate the memory of those throughout history who have resisted conscription.

A national ceremony will take place in Tavistock Square, London, where the speakers this year will be Or, an Israeli CO, and Semih Sapmaz of War Resisters International. As in previous years, the event will be livestreamed and you can find the details here on the Peace Pledge Union website: www.ppu.org.uk/international-conscientious-objectors-day-may-15th

For details of other events around the country on the day including an event in Liverpool being organised by Pax Christi Merseyside see here: www.ppu.org.uk/events/External%20Event

Links

More analysis of the spending figures on the GCOMS-UK website here: https://demilitarize.org.uk/new-figures-show-increase-in-global-military-spending/

Pax Christi Annual Report 2023/24 can be downloaded at: https://paxchristi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Annual-Report-2023-24_online-readable-1-1.pdf

New 'Disarm.' campaign badges at: https://paxchristi.org.uk/product/disarm-button-badge/

For updates and news on the war in Gaza, please see the Palestine and Israel page on the Pax Christi website: https://paxchristi.org.uk/campaigns/israel-and-palestine/