From April 10 to May 9, 2025, the International Peace Bureau (IPB) will join forces with partners worldwide for the Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS). This year’s campaign comes at a crucial moment, as the world faces escalating violence, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and over 30 other armed conflicts in the Global South, many of which are in Africa. These conflicts, alongside increasing militarization and supremacist rhetoric, have created a climate of fear and instability.
In the face of these challenges, governments are responding by increasing military budgets at an alarming rate, pouring unprecedented amounts of resources into the arms industry. This focus on militarization not only escalates global tensions but also diverts vital resources from sectors that contribute to peace, social welfare, and environmental sustainability. We must ask ourselves: Why are we investing in weapons rather than diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and conflict resolution?
History has shown us that militarization does not lead to peace or security. Instead, it perpetuates cycles of destruction, suffering, and injustice. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we demand an end to this reckless arms race and call for a commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation. We need governments to prioritize justice and human dignity, not weapons of war.
The IPB’s GDAMS campaign is an urgent call to action, and we need your support. Join us in advocating for a world where peace is not a mere aspiration but a reality.
GDAMS 2025 Events:
- April 10-11: Common Security Council
- April 15: Tax Day in the USA
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 28: SIPRI’s Release of New Data on Military Spending (Figures for 2024)
- May 9: Europe’s Day of Peace
We invite organizations and individuals to participate in GDAMS 2025 by organizing events, campaigns, or awareness-raising activities. If you are planning an action, please inform us via email so we can include it in our official list of GDAMS events.