Vatican City: The Holy See has called on countries to redirect resources spent on weapons towards humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare and the development of people living in poverty, warning that rising military expenditure is deepening the contrast between global security spending and urgent human needs.
Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, made the appeal on October 22 during a discussion on conventional weapons at the First Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
He warned that the spread and use of conventional weapons weaken trust between countries and undermine efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace. He also expressed concern over the continued rise in global military expenditure, which reached nearly 2.9 trillion US dollars in 2025.
The Archbishop said the enormous sums devoted to armaments stood in sharp contrast to the need for humanitarian aid and development, particularly when millions of people continue to live in poverty without access to essential services.
Addressing the risks associated with weapons, Archbishop El Kassis called for the protection of international agreements banning anti personnel mines and cluster munitions. He expressed concern over withdrawals from the relevant conventions and urged countries to preserve the integrity of both treaties and work towards their universal adoption.
He also highlighted the need for clear international rules governing lethal autonomous weapons systems. While welcoming progress made by the Group of Governmental Experts during 2026, he reiterated the Holy See's support for a legally binding instrument establishing clear prohibitions and regulations for these systems.
Referring to Pope Leo XIV's words in Magnifica Humanitas, the Archbishop stressed that decisions involving the use of lethal force must remain under effective human control. He warned against allowing such decisions to be transferred to opaque or automated processes, emphasising the importance of responsible human judgement.
The Holy See also raised concerns about the devastating effects of explosive weapons used in populated areas. Archbishop El Kassis pointed to the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the prolonged suffering experienced by affected communities.
He called for wider support for the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, known as EWIPA, and urged countries to ensure its effective implementation to strengthen the protection of civilians.
Another issue addressed in his statement was the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The Archbishop warned that this trade fuels violence and obstructs development, calling for stronger implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.
He also stressed the importance of implementing the International Tracing Instrument, which supports efforts to trace illicit small arms and light weapons.
Concluding his address, Archbishop El Kassis returned to the need to place human dignity and development at the centre of international priorities. He argued that resources currently devoted to weapons could help meet the urgent needs of people living in poverty, improve access to education and healthcare, and advance integral human development.
Redirecting military resources towards these priorities, he said, would make a meaningful contribution to building a more just and lasting peace.