The UN has established an international advisory body to ensure the resilience of underwater cables, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said in a statement.
Report informs via TASS that the advisory body will meet at least twice a year. The first virtual meeting is scheduled for December.
"Underwater cables account for more than 99% of international data exchange, making their resilience a matter of global importance. The advisory body will engage experts from around the world to ensure the resilience of this vital digital infrastructure against natural disasters, accidents, and other risks," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
The body will consist of 40 members, including ministers, heads of regulatory bodies, business leaders, and leading experts in telecommunications cable operations. It will be co-chaired by Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Portugal's National Communications Authority, Sandra Maximiano.