United Nations report identifies third world war risk as top global threat

A United Nations report released on Tuesday identifies the possibility of a third world war as the leading global concern. The assessment, which evaluated 28 risk factors, consulted approximately 1,300 representatives from governments, international organizations, corporations, universities, and civil society.

The threat of large-scale military conflict rose 16 positions in the rankings compared to the 2024 study, marking the largest increase among all analyzed risks. According to the findings, 36% of respondents believe a large-scale conflict could affect a significant portion of humanity within 12 months, a figure that rises to 76% when considering a seven-year timeframe.

The report highlights a significant shift in global priorities. While environmental factors, disinformation, and pandemics were the primary concerns two years ago, geopolitical disputes, armed conflicts, and the weakening of the rule of law have now taken precedence across all seven geographic regions studied.

Additionally, the risk of weapons of mass destruction entered the top ten risks in Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and Central and Southern Asia. In Europe and North America, concerns regarding the advancement of artificial intelligence and the influence of major technology companies also gained prominence.