On 24 April, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its new data on global military expenditure for 2022. Global military expenditure has continued to rise as many states have announced record level of spending increases amid violent conflicts and rising tensions. In a world with growing non-conventional insecurities, these increases reflect a perception of a deteriorating security environment where states continue to seek greater military strength and deterrence.
This online webinar, organized by UNIDIR in cooperation with SIPRI, provided an opportunity to learn about the latest trends in global military spending and examine these considering the most pressing national and global security threats and international peace and security agenda items. It discussed the following questions:
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What are the main factors driving increases in military spending levels?
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Could spending allocated for military needs be used to address broader security challenges and priorities as defined by governments?
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What role does transparency play?
A recording of the event is available on UNIDIR’s YouTube Channel or below.
SPEAKERS
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Dr Diego Lopes da Silva, Senior Researcher, Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
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Mr Xiao Liang, Research Assistant, Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
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Professor Mary Kaldor, Emeritus Professor of Global Governance and Director of the Conflict Research Programme at The London School of Economics and Political Science
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Ms Alexandra Marksteiner, Associate Political Affairs Officer, Conventional Arms Branch, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
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Moderated by Ms Alexandra Kuimova, Researcher, Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
PARTICIPANTS
UNIDIR encouraged the participation of members of the diplomatic community, civil society, international organizations, as well as experts interested in issues pertaining to military spending, opportunity costs, security priorities.
WHEN & WHERE
The event took place online on 25 April 2023.