Of the 700 million people worldwide living in extreme poverty, 40 per cent live in conflict-affected or fragile settings and this is on track to worsen, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday.
Ambassadors met to debate how poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment are fuelling conflict and instability, at a time when hostilities are increasing and demand for humanitarian aid is rising as resources dwindle.
Every dollar spent on prevention could save up to $103 in conflict-related costs, according to the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ).
Sustainable development critical
Conflicts are proliferating and lasting longer, said Mr. Guterres. At the same time the global economy is slowing and trade tensions are rising, as aid budgets are being slashed while military spending soars.
He warned that if current trends continue, two thirds of the world's poor will live in conflict-affected or fragile countries by the end of this decade.
"The message is clear," he said. "The farther a country is from sustainable and inclusive development, the closer it is to instability, and even conflict."
Give peace a (fighting) chance
The Secretary-General highlighted how the UN has worked to advance the three pillars of peace, development and human rights.
These efforts began with its establishment 80 years ago and continue today, "guided by the simple principle that prevention is the best cure for instability and conflict, and there is no better preventive measure than investing in development," he said.
"Development gives peace a fighting chance. It's the first line of defence against conflict. But right now, we're losing ground," he said, noting that "the engine of development is sputtering."
World falling short
Currently, two-thirds of the targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are lagging 10 years after adoption.
"The world is falling short by over $4 trillion annually in the resources developing countries need to deliver on these promises by 2030," he added.
Furthermore, "developing countries are being battered and bruised by limited fiscal space, crushing debt burdens and skyrocketing prices."
Fix the 'engine'
The Secretary-General pointed to the fourth Conference on Financing for Development, which begins next week in Spain, as an important moment "to fix and strengthen this essential engine."
He called for renewed commitments towards securing public and private finance for the areas of greatest need, providing urgent relief for debt-laden countries, and reforming the outdated global financial architecture.
The Council debate "could not be more prescient," said Kanni Wignaraja, the UN Development Programme's ( UNDP ) Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
Break the cycle
Global human development has stalled just as violent conflicts have surged to levels not seen in eight decades, she said, before presenting three priorities for investment to help break the cycle, including protecting household economies.
"In fragile settings, where peace and security have been shattered, development directed to the local level becomes the first line of peoples' defence and survival. And the hope for recovery," she said.
"From these local economies - when livelihoods are restored, water and electricity flows again, women's businesses reopen, farmers can trade food and some basic finance allows local enterprises to stay afloat - from this, comes the resources to build back broken capabilities and resilience."
Address systemic imbalances
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf Ali, recalled how the continent loses billions of dollars annually to conflict, which could be channelled into schools, hospitals, infrastructure and innovation.
He said the international community must also acknowledge that poverty and underdevelopment are global challenges that require a global response.
"If we are to uphold international peace and security, we must address the systemic imbalances - economic, political, and institutional - that continue to fuel deprivation, exclusion, and instability across regions," he said.
In this regard, the AU called for enhanced support to African-led peace operations, particularly those deployed in regions where poverty and underdevelopment are deeply entrenched.
Critical juncture requires collective action
The debate was convened by Guyana, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month.
The country's Foreign Minister, Hugh Todd, remarked that with the world "at a critical juncture where the interlinkages between peace, security and development have never been more pronounced," collective and decisive action is required.
He cautioned against "prioritizing only political solutions in conflicts where poverty and underdevelopment feature prominently," as creating conditions for socio-economic stability and well-being are also critical for peace.
Mr. Todd urged countries to address issues such as lack of access to education, unemployment, exclusion, and greater participation of women and youth.
"Currently, the global youth population is the highest in history, with most young people concentrated in developing countries," he said.
"For us to harness their full potential, they must be given adequate economic opportunities and be involved in decision making on peace and security."
