The world is arming itself at the fastest pace in decades. Global military spending has hit a record high, while the number of armed conflicts has reached its highest level since the end of the Second World War. At the same time, the world is facing a growing list of looming risks, from the climate crisis and widening inequality to food and energy insecurity. The 2030 Agenda is falling behind, with only around a third of SDGs targets on track or making moderate progress, while we are racing against time.

In a world grappling with wars, rising conflicts, and deepening geopolitical rivalries, how do we ensure that growing defence needs do not crowd out the development agenda? When geopolitics is king, what happens to development? The choice, however, may not be as simple as security versus development. The international community faces real defence and security pressures while still needing to invest in development, jobs, health, education, climate action, and human security. How do we manage these competing pressures? And how can governments balance immediate security concerns with the investments needed to address looming crises and growing risks that will shape our long-term peace, prosperity, and stability?