Second International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit to be Held in Porto in February 2026

The Second International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit is scheduled to take place on 2–3 February 2026 in Porto, Portugal, bringing global attention to the protection and resilience of critical submarine telecommunications infrastructure. The International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 will feature high-level plenary sessions, expert panels, and interactive discussions focused on strengthening the reliability of global connectivity networks.

Held under the High Patronage of the President of the Portuguese Presidency, the Summit will be hosted by the Government of Portugal with support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). The event will convene governments, regulatory authorities, industry leaders, investors, submarine cable specialists, and international organizations to address emerging risks and long-term challenges facing submarine telecom cable systems.

Building on the outcomes of the 2025 Abuja Summit, the Porto Summit aims to advance international cooperation on submarine cable resilience. Discussions will focus on enhancing collaboration between public and private stakeholders, supporting evidence-based policymaking through shared data and analysis, and identifying next steps to strengthen the work of the Advisory Body on submarine cable resilience.

Key objectives of the 2026 Summit include fostering high-level dialogue on submarine cable protection, advancing resilient infrastructure planning, particularly in underserved and vulnerable regions, and facilitating targeted investment and partnership opportunities to safeguard the backbone of global digital connectivity.