SOME WAY OUT OF HERE:Disarming Nuclear Powers & Preventing Proliferation

Report from Campaign for Peace Disarmament and Common Security shared via Newsletter | 07 May 2025

We were privileged to play the leading role in organizing “SOME WAY OUT OF HERE: Disarming Nuclear Powers & Preventing Proliferation” side event at the United Nations during the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty PrepCom. The session featured Yayoi Tsuchda, the Assistant General Secretary of Gensuiko, the Japan Council against A- & H- Bombs, Dr. Marco Marzo, Secretary General of the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Weapons; and John Burroughs the senior analyst and former Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy.

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The world spent 2.71 trillion $ in the military in 2024, according to new data published today by SIPRI

  • Global military spending reached $2.7 billions, representing a 9.4% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to SIPRI estimates—marking the largest rise in recent history, with a nearly 20% increase in just three years.
  • Over 100 peace organizations of 30 different countries call on governments to reduce military spending and instead address through cooperation and diplomacy the global challenges of our time.

Military approaches are gaining ground in the Middle East, with a 15% increase in military spending; in Europe, with an overall rise of 17%, led by Western Europe, which has increased its military budget by 24%; and in East and Southeast Asia, with increases of 7.5% and 7.8% respectively. NATO countries continue to lead globally, with their 32 members accounting for 55% of total global military spending—amounting to $1.506 trillion.
US military spending grew 5.7% to $997 billion, accounting for 37% of the global total by 2024. Russia, which increased its military spending by 38% in just one year ($149 billion), and Israel, with a 65% rise, are clearly committing to a war economy that supports political projects based on the use of military force.
China has increased its military budget for the thirty-third consecutive year, once again ranking as the second-largest military spender with $314 billion in 2024.

These are some of the key conclusions that can be drawn from the new global military spending data released today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Global Days of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS), together with Centre Delàs of Peace Studies, analyzes the new military spending data and call for a reduction in global military expenditures, as well as for real efforts toward a new security architecture based on common security, disarmament, and international cooperation.

“The commitment to militarization by the major powers, along with international political uncertainty, distances the chances for peace in some of the main armed conflicts and increases the likelihood of opting for military solutions in regions with latent tensions. Furthermore, the arbitrary target of 2% of global GDP for military budgets is now being replaced by 3.5% or even 5%. This is boosting the business prospects of arms companies, and we know three out of four of the leading military industries are based in NATO countries,” analyzes Jordi Calvo, coordinator of Centre Delàs and the Global Campaign on Military Spending (GCOMS).

Military spending drives a militaristic Europe and moves peace further away from the continent.

EU member aggregate military spending reached 370 billion in 2024, the second highest after the US, and reaching a level in 2024 higher than the recorded at the end of the Cold War, with a 17% increase, primarily driven by Central and Eastern European countries. However, four of the five European countries that rank among the top 15 highest spenders are still Western; Germany, in particular, increased its military spending by 28% in 2024, becoming the largest investor in Central and Western Europe for the first time since reunification.

This goes hand in hand with the widespread discourse of European militarism in which the European Union itself is not left behind. In addition to the EU’s direct subsidies for the research, development, production, and acquisition of armaments, which would amount to nearly €1.5 billion in 2024 and €5 billion under the European Peace Facility, the European Commission has facilitated the use of civil programs for military projects, from the environmental LIFE program to transportation and regional funds, while encouraging private financial actors, including those involved in sustainable finance and the European Investment Bank, to invest in arms companies.

“Between the exacerbation of the global arms race and the defense of a contested hegemony, the militarization of the EU also poses a threat to the peace and security of its citizens. The recent plan for an additional €800 billion in military spending over the next four years will, sooner or later, lead to a reduction in public spending on healthcare, pensions, education, or the fight against climate change and its consequences,” warns Laëtitia Sedou, European advocacy coordinator for ENAAT, the European campaign against the arms trade

As military spending and defense initiatives grow, resources that could otherwise address pressing social challenges—such as climate change, public health, and poverty—are diverted towards furthering military capabilities. This shift toward militarization risks exacerbating tensions both within Europe and beyond, fueling instability and undermining efforts toward peaceful conflict resolution and cooperative international relations.

The 2025 GDAMS Appeal calls for an end to this arms race through drastic reductions of military spending.

Our campaign launched an Appeal at the beginning of this GDAMS period which has so far garnered more than 100 endorsements from organizations from 30 different countries all across the world (see the list here).  Together, we call on governments to reduce military spending and instead address through cooperation and diplomacy the global challenges of our time, which require all available resources. The Appeal also calls for efforts aimed at global disarmament, stopping the arms trade and ceasing arms shipments to countries in conflict, demanding governments that they use all existing means to push for a real ceasefire and an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Join us on April 28 for our biggest day of action!
For the occasion we’ve prepared this toolkit with infographics, a press release, materials, and post suggestions in this shared folder.

Statement by the International Peace Bureau on the Recent Violence in Syria’s Coastal Regions

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) expresses deep concern over the recent escalation of violence in Syria’s coastal regions, particularly affecting the Alawite community. This surge in conflict threatens the region’s fragile stability and underscores the urgent need for concerted international efforts to protect vulnerable populations and promote lasting peace.​

On March 6, 2025, coordinated attacks were initiated by loyalists of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad against government security forces in the coastal town of Jableh. This ambush resulted in the deaths of several security personnel and marked a significant escalation in the region. In the aftermath, insurgent groups disseminated misinformation, alleging that the new government was targeting coastal communities, thereby inflaming sectarian tensions.​

The government deployed reinforcements to the affected areas in response to the initial attacks. Clashes ensued, leading to severe casualties among the Alawite community, including children, the elderly, and civilians unaffiliated with the Assad regime. Between March 6 and March 8, Syria’s coastal regions, particularly the Latakia and Tartus provinces, experienced severe violence resulting in significant casualties among the Alawite community: initial estimations indicate the death of more than 1000 people, including hundreds of civilians, by extremists, foreign fighters, and Islamist groups.

  • Particular areas like Banyas, rural Latakia, and rural Japleh, have faced incidents of ethnical cleansing and revenge attacks on unarmed people.

Entire families—doctors, pharmacists, teachers, and innocent infants who had yet to experience life—have been mercilessly slaughtered. These tragic events have led to mass displacement, with thousands of Alawite civilians fleeing their homes. Many sought refuge at the Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia province, seeking protection from the escalating violence. ​

International Response

The international community has expressed deep concern over these incidents, emphasizing the need for restraint and the protection of civilians to prevent further escalation and ensure regional stability.

  • United Nations: Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, has voiced alarm over the intense clashes and the resulting civilian casualties, emphasizing the imperative to protect non-combatants. ​
  • Neighboring and global Nations: Germany has urged Syrian authorities to avoid a “spiral of violence” following recent clashes. Similarly, Jordan’s foreign ministry supported Syria’s security measures and condemned any foreign interference that could destabilize the region. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates condemned the attacks and reiterated its support for Syria’s stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. ​
  • Human Rights Organizations: Various NGOs have called for immediate investigations into reports of targeted killings based on religious affiliation, highlighting the potential for these acts to constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. ​

The International Peace Bureau urgently calls upon the international community to:​

  1. Protect Civilians: Implement immediate measures to safeguard all civilians, particularly vulnerable communities such as the Alawites, from ongoing and future attacks.​
  2. Request the Syrian Government to take responsibility and protect innocent people: The new Syrian government should take decisive actions to halt current hostilities and prevent recurrence, ensuring that security operations are conducted within the bounds of international law and with utmost respect for human rights.​
  3. Ensure Accountability: Advocate for impartial investigations into alleged human rights violations, hold perpetrators accountable for crimes against humanity, deter future atrocities, and uphold justice.​
  4. Promote Dialogue: Facilitate inclusive dialogue among all Syrian factions to address underlying grievances, promote reconciliation, and build a sustainable peace framework.​

The international community must not stand idle in the face of such barbarity. Immediate action is imperative to protect the remaining Alawite population and to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable. The sanctity of human life and the principles of justice demand nothing less.

The IPB remains committed to supporting peace initiatives in Syria and stands in solidarity with all communities affected by this tragic conflict.

IPB Condemns the Violent Attack on Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme: Call for Accountability and Justice in Cameroon

Cameroon | 20 January 2025

The recent violent burglary at the offices of Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme (NDH-Cameroon) is a grave assault on human rights defenders and civil society. This act, aimed at silencing NDH’s critical work, highlights the growing threats faced by NGOs advocating for justice and freedom.

As the International Peace Bureau (IPB), we strongly condemn this attack and call for a thorough investigation by the authorities to ensure accountability in Cameroon. We urge all institutions to respect the rights of NGOs to operate free from fear and intimidation.

We stand in solidarity with NDH-Cameroon, including our IPB Council Member and Executive Director of NDH-Cameroon, Cyrille Roland Bechon, along with all its members and community. We reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights of all human rights defenders in the face of such challenges.

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Investing in Peace: IPB’s Role in Challenging EU Militarization at the European Left’s Summer University

Article from August 2024

The European Left and its foundation transform!europe held their Summer University in Mieres del Camino (Spain) on July 11th, 12th, and 13th. Chloé Meulewaeter, the GCOMS coordinator at the International Peace Bureau (IPB), participated in the plenary titled: “Investing in Peace, not in War! An analysis of the militarization of the EU.

The session was moderated by Marga Ferré, Co-president of transform!europe (Spain), and featured several speakers: Claudia Haydt, Vice-president of the European Left and coordinator of its Peace Working Group (Germany); Gavin Rae, from the Nazprod Foundation (Poland); and Niamh Ní Bhriain, Programme Coordinator on War and Pacification at the Transnational Institute (Ireland).

During the plenary, Chloé Meulewaeter discussed the militarization of the European Union, highlighting how the arms industry lobby influences EU institutions to promote the narrative that “security is the precondition of any sustainability” in order to access the EU’s sustainable finances. Additionally, The Transnational Institute emphasized the urgent need to invest in peace rather than war, advocating for the isolation of Israel by cutting off funding to entities that perpetuate violence, in order to end the conflict in Gaza and promote true security.

Nobel Peace Prize 2024 Award to Nihon Hidankyo and the Fight Against Nuclear Weapons

Statement by Alain ROUY, National Secretary of the “Mouvement de la Paix” (France), Vice-President of the International Peace Bureau

The award of the Nobel Peace Prize 2024 to the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo is a well-deserved reward for the hibakushas who have been warning against the use of nuclear weapons for decades.

We are living at a crucial moment when some are considering the use of nuclear weapons in ongoing conflicts, and when the nuclear powers are engaged in “modernizing” and increasing their nuclear arsenals.

This is particularly true of France, which is preparing to double its spending on nuclear weapons (7 billion euros in 2025, compared with 3.5 billion in 2017), with the terrifying goal of spending 100 billion in 15 years on nuclear weapons.

We have to say no to this infernal arms race and develop international mobilizations for the elimination of nuclear weapons. In France, we are asking our government to take into consideration the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which came into force on January 22, 2021 and has already been signed by 94 countries and ratified by 73. France must take its turn in this process, first by participating as an observer in the meetings of the States Parties to the TIAN, to join it.

Following on the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the international ICAN campaign, the Nobel Prize 2024 is a powerful encouragement and support for all those fighting for a world finally free of nuclear weapons.

Déclaration de Alain ROUY, secrétaire national du “Mouvement de la Paix” (France), vice-président du Bureau International de la Paix

L’attribution du Prix Nobel de la Paix 2024 à l’organisation japonaise Nihon      Hidankyo est une récompense méritée pour les hibakushas qui par leur témoignage mettent en garde depuis des décennies contre l’usage des armes nucléaires.

Nous vivons un moment crucial où certains envisagent l’utilisation des armes nucléaires dans les conflits en cours et où les puissances nucléaires sont engagées dans la “modernisation” et l’augmentation de leurs arsenaux nucléaires.

C’est en particulier le cas de la France qui s’apprête à doubler ses dépenses consacrées aux armes nucléaires ( 7 milliards d’euros en 2025 contre 3,5 milliards en 2017), avec l’objectif terrifiant de dépenser 100 milliards en 15 ans pour les armes nucléaires.

Il faut dire non à cette course infernale aux armements et développer les mobilisations internationales pour l’élimination des armes nucléaires. En France, nous demandons à notre gouvernement de prendre en considération le Traité sur l’Interdiction des Armes Nucléaires (TIAN)entré en vigueur le 22 janvier 2021 et déjà signé par 94 Etats et ratifié par 73. La France doit s’engager à son tour dans ce processus, d’abord en participant comme observateur aux réunions des Etats-parties au TIAN, avec l’objectif de le rejoindre.

Après le prix Nobel de la Paix de 2017 attribué à la campagne internationale ICAN, le Prix Nobel 2024constitue une aide et un puissant encouragement pour tous ceux qui luttent pour un monde enfin débarrassé des armes nucléaires.

Nihon Hidankyo is also an organizational member of the International Peace Bureau. The Hibakushas deserve this award, and it is about time to recognize their efforts and the legacy they live for — never again, no to nuclear weapons and yes to peace.

Summit of the Future Side Event Report Back: Advocating for SSOD-IV

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) participated in the Action Days and the Summit of the Future held in New York from September 20 to 23. During this pivotal event, we engaged in various activities and organized two significant events, one of which was an official offsite side event featured on the Action Days calendar.

Our official offsite side event “Reversing the Doomsday Clock: Nuclear Disarmament and the Need for a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament” aimed to advocate for a nuclear-weapon-free world and stronger disarmament commitments, calling for the convening of a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament (SSOD-IV). It took place in the beautiful and warmly welcoming Church of the Covenant on the afternoon of Saturday, September 21.

The event was co-sponsored by the Republic of Kiribati, International Peace Bureau (IPB), SCRAP Weapons (SOAS University of London), Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF), Parliament of the World’s Religions, Agora Mexico and was supported by many other partners like Reverse the Trend (RTT), Justice for All, Agora Mexico, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung NY (RLSNY), the Episcopal Church, NGO Committee on Human Rights to the UN, NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, and Committee of Religious NGOs to the UN.

This gathering aimed to unite diverse stakeholders, including member states, civil society representatives, and experts in disarmament, to address the urgent need for a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament (SSOD-IV). As the UN Secretary-General stated, the Summit of the Future and its accompanying Pact for the Future offer a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for member states and multistakeholders to come together and drive substantial global action.

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In Memoriam: Peter Becker (1945-2024)

Peter Becker, a renowned German lawyer and tireless advocate for peace and disarmament, passed away in 2024. Best known for his anti-nuclear work, the International Peace Bureau awarded him the 2011 Sean MacBride Peace Prize.

Becker’s legal career spanned over four decades, during which he became a leading authority in administrative and energy law. He successfully represented over a thousand students in numerous cases. He played a key role in energy law after German reunification, helping establish Becker Büttner Held (BBH), Germany’s top energy law firm.

In his peace work, Becker challenged the presence of U.S. nuclear weapons in Germany, representing cases aimed at stopping nuclear activities in Büchel and Ramstein. Though the cases were dismissed, his efforts sparked significant public awareness.

Peter Becker’s legacy as a peace advocate and legal pioneer will continue to inspire.

Read the Orbituary from IALANA: https://ialana.de/aktuell

PRESS RELEASE: Climate and Peace Groups Join Togetherin First Global Week of Action

Berlin, September 21st, 2024

Peace and climate movements are taking action together in the first Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice to highlight the connections between their causes.

The week runs from 21-28 September, with more than 50 events planned across five continents, in countries including Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Germany, Malawi, Mexico, India, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the USA, as well as many online.

The week of action aims to raise awareness of the links between war, militarism, and climate injustice, such as the following:

  • The world’s wealthiest countries have repeatedly failed to provide $100bn in promised climate finance to help countries adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate breakdown. Meanwhile, in 2023 global military spending increased for the ninth year running to $2443bn.
  • Experts estimate that the world’s militaries are responsible for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If the world’s militaries were a country, they would have the fourth largest carbon footprint: higher than that of Russia. But militaries are excluded from current climate agreements, so face no accountability for their pollution.

The week also aims to build bridges between peace and climate justice movements, and to build momentum behind the demand to ‘divest from war – invest in climate justice!

In New York City, there will be events to coincide with the UN Summit of the Future. The Japan-based international NGO Peace Boat will carry out workshops and actions in Tokyo and in the Atlantic Ocean as part of its global voyage for peace. In Mexico, students will create a list of demands directed to the Mexican Congress, asking them to divest funds from the armed forces and reinvest them in environmental public policies. In the UK, vigils will be held in London, Taunton and Bath.

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Yurii Sheliazenko: “We must change the narrative of the inevitability of war.”

26.08.24 – Ukraine – Mauro Carlo Zanella | Pressenza International Press Agency

Changing the Narratives of War: An article based on Yurii Sheliazenko’s interview to read.

People should not be defined by wars they waged, wage or expect to wage. People must define their identity with collective imagination, knowledge, art, joy and happiness of togetherness and openness to embrace anyone and anything in this wonderful and good Universe. When we will walk in the light, not in the darkness, we will be brothers and sisters, equal and creative, not destructive. For that end, a great work of enlightenment must be done.

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