New York, April 28, 2026 — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning that the world is entering a dangerous new phase of nuclear instability, highlighting rising risks, renewed interest in nuclear testing, and weakening global safeguards.
Speaking at the United Nations during a major review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Guterres cautioned that decades of progress in nuclear disarmament are beginning to unravel.
Guterres warned that nuclear risks are increasing, with global tensions driving a potential new arms race. He highlighted renewed interest in nuclear testing, signaling a shift away from long-standing global norms.
The UN chief said trust among nations is eroding, with commitments under the NPT “unfulfilled” and credibility “wearing thin.”
For the first time in decades, the number of nuclear warheads is rising, reversing years of reductions, he said.
Addressing world leaders, Guterres warned that the international community is slipping into what he described as a “dangerous complacency” over nuclear weapons. He stressed that hard-won arms control agreements are weakening and that “the drivers of proliferation are accelerating.”
He emphasized that disarmament is not optional, stating that it is “the foundation of peace,” and warned that failure to act could push the world closer to nuclear confrontation.
The NPT—considered the cornerstone of global nuclear governance—is under increasing strain as nuclear-armed states expand capabilities and political trust declines.
Analysts warn that without renewed cooperation, the world could face a new nuclear arms race, with far-reaching consequences for global security.
