In an increasingly interconnected world, submarine telecom cables serve as the lifelines of the global digital economy, facilitating over 99% of international data exchange. These cables enable communication, finance, cloud services, and vital infrastructure to operate seamlessly across borders. Yet, despite their critical i​mportance, submarine cables face a range of vulnerabilities, from natural disasters to ageing infrastructure to accidental human activity such as fishing and anchoring.

Disruptions can affect industry and government operations, as well as the ability of individuals to access​ education, healthcare and financial services. Over 200 cable repairs were reported worldwide in 2023 by the ICPC – equivalent to more than three cable failures per week on average. With the world’s reliance on stable, high-speed Internet growing every day, the resilience of these cables is paramount.​

​Multistakeholder d​​​ialogue, including among gove​rnments, regulatory authorities, industry leaders, submarine cable experts, and international organisations, is vital for enhancing the resilience of submarine telecom cables in order to safeguard our digital future and global economic stability.