The United Nations, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), has formed the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience. This new body aims to strengthen the protection of submarine cables, which are critical to global communications, carrying over 99% of international data exchanges. Given their importance, ensuring their resilience against risks such as accidents, disasters, and intentional sabotage has become a global priority.
This initiative follows a series of recent incidents, including a criminal investigation launched by Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania after a Chinese ship damaged two subsea cables connecting Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania. The true cause of the damage remains unclear, with debates on whether it was accidental or intentional. A Chinese government spokesperson has stated that Beijing is committed to working with other countries to ensure the security of international submarine cables in accordance with international law.
The new advisory body will focus on improving the security of submarine cables and promoting best practices among governments. Additionally, it will work to ensure that broken cables are repaired promptly. The ICPC has reported that 150 to 200 incidents cause damage to submarine cables every year, necessitating around three cable repairs each week. While most incidents are accidents, such as those caused by fishing, ship anchors, or natural disasters, this initiative underscores the need for coordinated action to safeguard this critical infrastructure.
The body will be co-chaired by officials from Nigeria and Portugal, with 40 members from various countries. It will meet biannually, bringing together experts from both the government and tech industries. The first virtual meeting will take place in December, followed by an in-person meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, in February. This effort comes at a time when submarine cable disruptions, like those that left 13 African countries without internet for days, have highlighted the vulnerability of global communications networks. The advisory body aims to address these vulnerabilities and enhance the resilience of this vital infrastructure.
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