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title: UN, ITU launch advisory body to strengthen submarine cable resilience - Developing Telecoms
description: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with other UN departments established a new body aimed at strengthening the resilience of submarine cables in response to rising outages.
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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with other UN departments established a new body aimed at strengthening the resilience of submarine cables in response to [rising outages](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks/16683-damage-to-submarine-cables-claims-and-remedies.html).

The ITU, the United Nations Agency for Dgital Technologies, and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have jointly formed the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience.

The new body will explore ways to improve cable resilience by promoting best practices for governments and companies. Its focus will include ensuring timely deployment and repair of submarine cables, reducing the risk of damage, and enhancing connectivity continuity.

“Submarine cables carry over 99 per cent of international data exchanges, making their resilience a global imperative,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin (pictured).

“The Advisory Body will mobilise expertise from around the world to ensure this vital digital infrastructure remains resilient in the face of disasters, accidents, and other risks.”

The ICPC estimates that an average of 150 to 200 faults occur globally each year, requiring around three cable repairs per week. The primary causes of cable damage are accidental human activities, such as fishing and anchoring, as well as natural hazards and equipment failures.

The Advisory Body is co-chaired by H.E. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Professor Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of Portugal’s National Communications Authority (ANACOM).

“Submarine cables are essential to the functioning of our connected world, but they face risks that require coordinated, proactive action,” said Tijani. “We are therefore pleased to host the inaugural Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Nigeria in early 2025.”

“This initiative underscores the global community’s commitment to strengthening these networks and advancing international cooperation for digital resilience,” added Maximiano.

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