The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is pleased to invite you to an online webinar ‘Mismatch or on track: Does global military spending align with national security priorities’, organized in cooperation with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

On 24 April, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute will release its new data on global military expenditure for 2022. Global military expenditure is expected to continue 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 will provide 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 aims to discuss the following questions:

1. What are the main factors driving increases in military spending levels?
2. Could spending allocated for military needs be used to address broader security challenges and priorities as defined by governments?
3. What role does transparency play?

SPEAKERS

• Dr Diego Lopes da Silva, Senior Researcher, Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
• Mr Xiao Liang, Research Assistant, Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
• Professor Mary Kaldor, Emeritus Professor of Global Governance and Director of the Conflict Research Programme at The London School of Economics and Political Science
• Ms Alexandra Marksteiner, Associate Political Affairs Officer, Conventional Arms Branch, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
• Moderated by Ms Alexandra Kuimova, Researcher, Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)

PARTICIPANTS

UNIDIR welcomes and encourages 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.