The recent International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, brought together global leaders, industry executives, and international organizations to address the critical need for strengthening the world’s undersea network of telecommunications cables. The Summit Declaration, a key outcome of the event, underscores the commitment to enhancing submarine cable resilience through cooperation, innovation, and protection measures to ensure reliable connectivity worldwide.
Submarine telecommunications cables play a vital role in carrying more than 99% of international data traffic across a network of approximately 500 cables spanning over 1.7 million kilometers globally. With an average of 150 to 200 faults reported each year, disruptions to these cables have far-reaching impacts on economies, access to information, public services, and the daily lives of billions of people.
The Summit Declaration emphasizes the importance of international efforts to reinforce submarine telecommunications cable resilience. It focuses on key areas such as strengthening cable protection through risk mitigation, promoting diverse routes and landings for enhanced resilience, and facilitating timely deployment and repair of cables. These actions are crucial in addressing disruptions and ensuring the continuity of communications networks.
The event, organized by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), highlighted the significance of global cooperation in safeguarding submarine cable infrastructure. The declaration also recognizes the need for sustainable approaches, technological innovation, and capacity building to address current and future connectivity needs.
The Summit featured the inaugural meeting of the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience, established by ITU and ICPC in late 2024. This advisory body aims to enhance the operational resilience of submarine cables, supporting reliable connectivity for all. Working groups formed at the summit will focus on risk identification, monitoring, and mitigation, as well as connectivity and geographic diversity of landing points and routes, and timely deployment and repair of cables.
The commitment to strengthening submarine cable resilience is a shared priority among governments, industry stakeholders, and international organizations. The Summit Declaration sets the stage for greater international cooperation in protecting and enhancing the resilience of submarine cables, which are essential lifelines of the digital age. As the world increasingly relies on interconnected communications networks, ensuring the reliability and continuity of submarine cables is paramount for global connectivity and inclusive development.
