Óscar Arias, president of Costa Rica (1986-1990, 2006-2010), won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his peacemaking efforts in Central America. Without any armed forces, Costa Rica is now a global model for demilitarization and the amazing social benefits it offers.

In this moving speech, Arias endorses the Global Day of Action on Military Spending and encourages people around the world to demand demilitarization as the first step towards achieving true human security and development.