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Submarine cables play a critical role in global communication. Governments, industry leaders, and international organizations now agree that protecting these cables requires stronger cooperation.
During the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 in Porto, Portugal, representatives from more than 70 countries issued a joint declaration. The declaration called for urgent action to protect and strengthen this vital digital infrastructure.
As global dependence on digital services grows, cable resilience has become a shared global responsibility.
Submarine Cables Power the Global Internet
Subsea telecommunications cables carry most of the world’s data traffic. Around 500 cables span more than 1.7 million kilometres across the ocean floor.
Because of this vast network, people can access online services, governments can deliver public services, and businesses can operate across borders. Without these cables, global connectivity would slow or fail.
Therefore, even minor damage can disrupt economies and daily life.
Summit Calls for Stronger Global Cooperation
At the Porto summit, participants stressed the need for closer cooperation between governments and private companies. Leaders agreed that no single country can protect this infrastructure alone.
Instead, cooperation must improve across borders. Faster repair times, shared planning, and joint investment were identified as key priorities.
As a result, the summit declaration encouraged countries to align policies and improve coordination.
Advisory Body Provides Clear Guidance
The International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience played a central role at the summit. The International Telecommunication Union and the International Cable Protection Committee created the body in 2024.
During the Porto meeting, the advisory group presented guidance to improve cable resilience. This guidance focuses on faster permitting, simpler maintenance rules, and clearer legal frameworks.
Moreover, it highlights the need for practical solutions that can be applied worldwide.
Support for Underserved Regions
The recommendations place strong emphasis on underserved regions. These include Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, and Landlocked Developing Countries.
Because these regions often rely on a limited number of cable routes, damage can cause long outages. Therefore, leaders called for more cable route diversity and redundancy.
In addition, the guidance supports better access to repair ships and emergency response systems.
Improving Planning and Risk Management
The summit also encouraged better planning across marine industries. Fishing, shipping, and offshore development all affect cable safety.
By improving coordination, countries can reduce accidental cable damage. Furthermore, the adoption of industry best practices can help assess and reduce risks.
Training programs and new technologies also play an important role. As skills improve, response times can shorten.
Rising Threats to Global Data Traffic
More than 99 percent of international data traffic depends on submarine cables. Each year, more than 200 cable faults occur worldwide.
These faults can disrupt communications, financial systems, and public services. In some cases, millions of people lose connectivity at once.
Because of this, leaders agreed that cable protection must remain a global priority.
Why Cooperation Remains Essential
Submarine cable resilience depends on shared responsibility. Governments, regulators, and private operators must work together.
Through common standards, better investment, and faster response systems, countries can reduce risks and limit damage.
Ultimately, global cooperation offers the most effective way to protect submarine cables and ensure reliable digital access for everyone.
