“If you had the choice, where would you invest?” That was the question the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Vienna Office asked the international community in Vienna, as well as the local public, for the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness (IDDNPA).
IDDNPA is observed annually on 5 March to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people. In partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations in Vienna, UNODA Vienna curated an interactive pop-up at the Vienna International Centre for passers-by to indicate their investment priorities.
The week-long poll was opened by an event and reception on Monday 2 March, where the Chief of the UNODA Vienna Office, Ms. Rebecca Jovin, introduced the question. Inspired by the UN Secretary-General’s report on Military Expenditure and its Impact on Sustainable Development, the pop-up reminds us that the recorded military spending in 2024 of an unprecedented 2.7 trillion dollars represent choices about priorities.
As co-organiser of the event, H.E. Ambassador Nurzhan Shaildabekova from the Permament Representation of Kyrgyzstan to the UN in Vienna highlighted the value of this international day, the indispensable role of education, and the importance of youth engagement. Mr. Olamide Samuels, Network and Engagement Specialist at the Open Nuclear Network, emphasized that public awareness on the role of disarmament and non-proliferation in building sustainable security architectures is crucial. He underscored the need for human-centred approaches and partnerships.
The same question was also asked to the general public of Vienna, with a day-long pop-up at a local transportation hub at Schwedenplatz. UNODA colleagues interacted with passers-by and encouraged them to indicate what they think the world should invest more in.
The results? Over the entire week, at the Vienna International Centre, Schwedenplatz and online through an Instagram poll, 47% of the mock money was invested in education. Coming in second place was health, at 33% of the money invested. Industry (13%) and military (7%) were the lowest on the list of priorities.
The exercise served as a great reminder that sustainable development is the first line of defence against conflict. It is crucial to balance necessary military spending with sustained investments in people and the planet.
Learn more: UNODA Course "Excessive Military Expenditure and its Impact on Sustainable Development"
