The International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 will take place on 2 to 3 February 2026 in Porto, Portugal, bringing together governments, regulatory authorities, industry leaders, and experts to discuss a core challenge in global telecommunications: ensuring the resilience of submarine telecommunications cables.
Submarine cables form the critical and largely invisible infrastructure of global digital connectivity.
Responsible for carrying more than 99% of international data traffic, these submarine cables are a critical yet hidden component of global digital infrastructure. With hundreds of disruptions reported annually, protecting this interconnected system is essential to ensuring uninterrupted worldwide communications, economic stability, and the delivery of essential services.
Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), and hosted by the Government of Portugal, the 2026 Summit will focus on advancing actionable solutions to strengthen submarine telecommunication cable resilience.
Building on the 2025 Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 will feature high-level discussions and expert panels on key topics, including accelerating cable repairs, improving risk mitigation, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and supporting underserved regions.
The event will be hosted at the Congress Centre in Porto, Portugal. The full programme and the list of speakers can be downloaded here.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organisations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence to quantum communications, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond.
For more information visit: www.itu.int
The ICPC is the world's leading non-governmental organisation promoting submarine cable protection and resilience. To promote submarine cable protection and resilience, the ICPC works with its members, governments, international organisations, other marine industries, and the scientific community to: mitigate risks of natural and human damage to cables; develop recommendations and best practices for industry and governments throughout the cable project life cycle; promote scientific research addressing how cables exist in the marine environment; and promote the rule of law for the oceans. The ICPC convenes the global submarine cable industry and has more than 240 Member organisations from over 70 countries who build, operate, and maintain submarine telecommunications and power cable infrastructure.
For more information visit: https://www.iscpc.org/