In 2023, UNIDIR published its first report on subsea cables, entitled Wading Murky Waters: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State Behaviour. The initial scoping study sought to raise awareness of this essential transmission technology. Since then, a slew of new initiatives have been proposed, including at the international level, signalling both the strategic importance of the infrastructure and the need to strengthen security and resilience across all of its components.

This follow-on study sets out to understand what it means in policy and practice when governments qualify or designate subsea telecommunications cables as critical infrastructure (CI). The report draws from the CI literature to frame government approaches to security and resilience, identifying how government policy and practice interact with core CI concepts such as absorptive, restorative and adaptive resilience capacities. While subsea cable systems are generally designed and deployed with these capacities in mind, effective government action on security and resilience can contribute to strengthening them.

Citation: C. Kavanagh, J. Franken, and W. He. “Achieving Depth: Subsea Telecommunications Cables as Critical Infrastructure”. Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2025.

The post Achieving Depth: Subsea Telecommunications Cables as Critical Infrastructure first appeared on UNIDIR.

This UNIDIR research examines trends in the development and use of UMS between 2019 and 2024, identifying 60 UMS programmes across 17 countries that have utilized a wide range of systems. More than 40 attacks took place during the same period, with a notable rise since 2023.

The United Nations Register of Conventional Arms could play an important role in enhancing mutual trust and confidence between States if it were to contain information on international transfers and acquisitions of armed UMS. Due to their technical characteristics, however, most UMS fall outside the Register’s reporting categories, therefore remaining unreported.

This research puts forward four options for consideration by the Group of Governmental Experts in 2024-2025 on the continuing operation and future development of the Register. These options could also be considered by States participating in other multilateral instruments that contribute to increasing transparency in international transfers and acquisitions.

Citation: Anabel García García, Sarah Grand-Clément, Paul Holtom, “Changing Tides in Maritime Warfare: Closing the Reporting Gap on Uncrewed Maritime Systems in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms”, UNIDIR, Geneva, 2025, https://doi.org/10.37559/CAAP/25/ERC/03.

The post Changing Tides in Maritime Warfare: Closing the Reporting Gap on Uncrewed Maritime Systems in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms first appeared on UNIDIR.

The recently adopted Pact for the Future reflects an urgent commitment to enhancing international cooperation in this domain. In particular, Action 22 of the Pact calls for more coordinated global efforts to secure our oceans through stronger maritime governance, environmental stewardship and measures to prevent the escalation of conflicts at sea. With increasing threats from climate change, geopolitical tensions and technological developments, acting swiftly and decisively is necessary to prevent further destabilization of our maritime environments. 

Within this context, UNIDIR’s report marks the first comprehensive exploration of contemporary maritime security and provides an essential baseline for understanding these diverse and complex challenges, setting the context for future in-depth studies.  

The post Securing the Seas: A Comprehensive Assessment of Global Maritime Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

The compendium, as well as the primers, also serve as technical guides on issues relating to uncrewed systems for use within frameworks and processes where such systems are relevant and discussed, such as the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on the continuing operation and relevance of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA) and its further development, the Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, and the GGE on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems.

Sponsor Organizations: Germany (Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme) and Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Microsoft (Security and Technology Programme).

Citation: Sarah Grand-Clément (2023) “Uncrewed Aerial, Ground, and Maritime Systems: A Compendium”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.37559/CAAP/23/ERC/05

The post Uncrewed Aerial, Ground, and Maritime Systems: A Compendium first appeared on UNIDIR.

This report approaches subsea communications cables from a systemic perspective: as core elements of the broader ICT ecosystem. It begins with an overview of developments in subsea cable technology and associated ‘wet’ (undersea) and ‘dry’ (land) plant infrastructure and the main actors involved in the subsea cable industry. It then provides an overview of the more commonly cited threats and vulnerabilities relevant to subsea cable systems and related infrastructure, followed by an introduction to the extant subsea cable governance regime. Drawing in part from the Government Best Practices of the International Cable Protection Committee and existing recommendations negotiated under the umbrella of the General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security, it concludes with some preliminary recommendations on cooperative steps that governments can take to advance responsible State behaviour and to strengthen the resilience of subsea cable systems and related infrastructure.

TRANSLATIONS

The Executive Summary of this publication is available in the following languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Russian
• Spanish

Sponsor Organizations: European Union

Citation: Camino Kavanagh (2023) “Wading Murky Waters: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State Behaviour”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

The post Wading Murky Waters: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State Behaviour first appeared on UNIDIR.

This primer introduces the different types of UMS, otherwise known as surface, underwater or maritime drones. It also describes their key components and functions, as well as outlining the main challenges that these systems can pose to international security.

The focus of the primer is on describing the main areas of technological innovation and development related to the key components that comprise UMSs, outlining the anticipated areas of progress and potential concern.

Sponsor Organizations: Germany (Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme) and Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Microsoft (Security and Technology Programme).

Citation: Sarah Grand-Clément and Theò Bajon (2022) “Uncrewed Ground Systems: A Primer”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.37559/CAAP/22/ERC/13

The post Uncrewed Maritime Systems: A Primer first appeared on UNIDIR.

Citation: Security and Technology Programme and Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme (2015). “The Weaponization of Increasingly Autonomous Technologies in the Maritime Environment: Testing the Waters”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

The post The Weaponization of Increasingly Autonomous Technologies in the Maritime Environment: Testing the Waters first appeared on UNIDIR.

Citation: Kerstin Vignard (ed.) (2010). “Disarmament Forum: Maritime Security”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

Disponible aussi en français.

Content

• Editor’s note, Kerstin Vignard
• Security threats and challenges to maritime supply chains, Vijay Sakhuja
• Sea piracy: some inconvenient truths, Sam Bateman
• Maritime security and nuclear cargoes, Ron Smith
• The Proliferation Security Initiative, Jeffrey Lewis and Philip Maxon
• Building awareness of sea-dumped chemical weapons, Joshua Newman and Dawn Verdugo
• UNIDIR focus

The post Disarmament Forum: Maritime Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

The post Maritime Security: The Building of Confidence first appeared on UNIDIR.

The incoming Council members bring diverse yet complementary maritime perspectives. Greece stands as a shipping superpower, controlling over 17% of global maritime carrying capacity and has already announced maritime security to be one of its six priorities for Council membership. Denmark, home to Moeller-Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, has demonstrated consistent leadership in counter-piracy initiatives through its contributions to multinational operations and capacity-building efforts. Panama, as the world’s premier flag state, represents approximately 16% of global shipping and brings important expertise in maritime administration and regulation, but also the challenges faced by small island states.

Somalia brings crucial firsthand experience in maritime security challenges, having transformed from the epicentre of Indian Ocean piracy to a partner in regional maritime security. This remarkable transformation, achieved through international cooperation and capacity building, offers valuable lessons for addressing maritime security challenges elsewhere. Pakistan contributes significant naval capabilities and has established a strong record of maritime security operations in the Western Indian Ocean, including leadership roles in multinational task forces and regional security initiatives.

A de facto Maritime Security Council

The new Security Council members will join the permanent members (China, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and Russia), all established maritime powers with global naval presence. This unprecedented concentration of maritime expertise and interests effectively establishes a de facto Maritime Security Council, which offers an opportunity to transcend the gridlock of the Council.

Maritime security represents a realm of shared interests, as all nations depend on secure sea lanes and ocean health for their economic wellbeing. While differences exist within the Council, for instance, regarding the interpretation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, maritime security challenges could provide common ground for cooperation. Recent escalations of maritime threats, from attacks on commercial shipping, critical infrastructure breakdowns to environmental degradation, demonstrate that no nation can ensure maritime security alone.

Timing is critical

The maritime domain faces increasing volatility and emerging threats that require coordinated international responses. Recent UNIDIR research has identified 20 critical challenges that will determine the future of security at sea. These range from immediate threats like the proliferation of low-cost weapon systems, the return of sea mine risks, and maritime cyberattacks, to emerging challenges such as securing green energy infrastructure at sea and protecting subsea data cables.

The research also highlights novel concerns including the rise of ‘shadow fleets’ for sanctions evasion, the increasing use of civil vessels for military purposes, and the complex intersection of maritime and outer space security. Environmental challenges feature prominently, from enforcing the new high seas treaty and protecting marine areas to addressing the maritime security implications of climate change, particularly for small island states. Human security dimensions, including Indigenous Peoples’ rights and human rights at sea, complete this comprehensive picture of maritime security challenges.

Moreover, a report from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations highlighted the potential value of UN-flagged maritime operations. Such initiatives could address ongoing maritime security challenges in regions like the Red Sea and the Gulf of Guinea, where coordinated international responses are essential. The success of previous UN-backed maritime security initiatives, such as the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, demonstrates the potential for effective multilateral responses to maritime threats.

Strengthening global maritime security governance

In 2025, the Security Council – with members representing major shipping nations, flag states, naval powers and states with direct experience of maritime security challenges – will be uniquely positioned to address emerging maritime threats and spearhead a unified strategic response.

If the five new maritime members act concertedly through their presidencies, the Council could follow up the discussion on establishing a dedicated maritime security mechanism – as debated in 2021 under the presidency of India. Such a mechanism could aid in coordinating responses to urgent maritime security challenges across the United Nations system, feed essential expertise into decision making and develop long-term comprehensive strategies for addressing emerging threats.

As first steps the Council could establish a dedicated committee, utilizing organizational frameworks similar to those employed by its Counter-Terrorism Committee, – and request a report by the Secretary General to develop options for a UN maritime security strategy and office. This would significantly enhance rapid and early response to maritime security incidents, enhancing information sharing among Member States, and developing guidelines for UN-flagged maritime security operations.

The Council’s unique composition also could facilitate the development of innovative approaches to maritime security cooperation. This might include establishing new frameworks for protecting critical maritime infrastructure, developing international standards for maritime cybersecurity, and creating formats for coordinating responses to environmental threats in the maritime domain. By leveraging the diverse expertise and experiences of its members, the Security Council could lead the way in building a more secure and sustainable maritime order for the 21st century.

The post All hands on deck at the United Nations Security Council first appeared on UNIDIR.

In light of this, the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO) convened the second annual Space for Island Nations Conference (SINC), bringing together experts, thought leaders and practitioners to spread awareness about the potential of space exploration and its benefits for island communities.

There were three key themes of SINC 2024:

1. Space for climate, or specifically how space technologies play a role in climate monitoring and adaptation efforts for small island geographies in the face of changing environmental parameters due to climate change
2. Space for space, or how small island nations can leverage space science and exploration for their future development.
3. Space for the oceans, looking both at how space technology plays a role in oceanography and also how small island nations may draw parallels from their maritime experience to outer space.

Through the multitude of insightful panels at SINC, it was apparent how integral space technology was to the well-being and future of island nations.

As part of this second edition of SINC, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the Secure World Foundation (SWF) co-organized an open panel entitled Space Security and Sustainability: Why is it Essential for Small Island Nations?, where space security experts and other interested stakeholders explored the importance of space security for island nations as an integral component of space sustainability. In light of the potential and applications of space technology discussed for island nations, the panel focused on how island nations should consider space security and what role these nations can play in ensuring a sustainable future space environment.

UNIDIR and SWF, in coordination with MSRO, also co-organized a closed, invitation-only workshop for governments and other relevant stakeholders. This workshop facilitated an exchange of views on space security, provided a forum for informal discussion around current challenges to space security and stability, and explored the role that island nations could play in fostering a common understanding of space security.

To encourage a frank exchange of ideas, the workshop was a closed event for representatives of island nations, convened under the Chatham House Rule, which stipulates that “participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed”. A separate report detailing the highlights of the closed discussion will be published on UNIDIR’s website. This commentary summarizes key takeaways from the open panel discussion.

Space and Development Goals for Small Island Nations

The panel highlighted the essential developmental role that space technology provides for island nations. Space technology could be a critical enabler in achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, space technology plays a role in many oceanic-resources management and preservation efforts that are vital to the continued livelihood and prospective economic growth of island nations. These efforts include but are not limited to: coral preservation efforts through early warning systems to detect coral bleaching; monitoring coastlines for coastal conservation; monitoring oceanic pH and acidity levels; monitoring illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing; and detecting oil spills.

One panellist also highlighted how Earth observation (EO) data specifically assists in environmental disaster monitoring and response, which is increasingly important due to the unique and intensified vulnerabilities faced by small island nations amidst the growing climate crisis. Moreover, EO is inherently non-discriminatory in nature as it provides access to data from traditionally inaccessible areas – an aspect of key importance for the future of small island nations. A variety of programmes exist which offer EO data for free, such as the Copernicus programme. The work of The Pacific Community, specifically the Digital Earth Pacific project, was presented as a concrete example of how EO data utilized at the local level could help in overcoming regional challenges such as climate change, food security and disasters.

Understanding Space Threats and Their Implications for Island Nations

Panellists discussed how working towards and ensuring the security of space systems is tied to the ability of States, including small island nations, to benefit from the services these assets provide. The ever-increasing relevance of space systems, coupled with limitations in existing international law, have made it possible for technologies and techniques to deny, disrupt, degrade, damage or destroy such space systems and their components. As underscored by one panellist, the development, testing and use of these counterspace capabilities are particularly concerning in the context of current geopolitical tensions. If left unchecked, they could even lead to conflict in outer space, which would have devastating consequences for humankind.

A panellist highlighted that counterspace capabilities can take many forms: they can be offensive and defensive and can further be classified into different groups including kinetic physical, non-kinetic physical, electronic and cyber. The proliferation of these counterspace technologies endangers both the safety and security of outer space, creating an unstable and unsustainable space environment. Participants stressed that small island nations are in a particularly vulnerable position with regard to the dangers of the proliferation of counterspace capabilities. Space services significantly contribute to economic growth and healthy marine ecosystems, and small island nations increasingly rely on space technologies, thus making their loss due to a space security threat an issue of particular concern. In this context, panellists linked space security to sustainability, suggesting that the former serves as a foundation for the latter.

Space Sustainability as a Multistakeholder Initiative

In exploring the roles of stakeholders, primarily those from the private sector, one panellist explained that according to the Outer Space Treaty, a State Party bears international responsibility for its national space activities, including activities carried out by non-governmental actors. Therefore, commercial actors are under the authority of their State’s domestic law and regulation in addition to international law. Progressive and sustainable updates in policy and regulation could help encourage and enforce more sustainable practices from industry actors, such as the European Space Agency’s Zero Debris Charter or the United States’ Federal Communication Commission’s rule for satellite operators to shorten the time for deorbiting non-geostationary orbit satellites from 25 years to 5 years.

However, in the absence of robust State regulation, stakeholders have the opportunity to develop guidelines that could enhance space sustainability through voluntary best practices. Raising greater awareness of the relationship between space security and sustainability through discussion on topics such as space debris and its indiscriminate effects could further incentivize sustainable outer space activity and generate social pressure towards sustainable practices locally and globally.

The Role of Space for National Security in Small Island Nations

Small island nations find themselves with a variety of different challenges, including maintaining sovereignty, safeguarding their waters, detecting illegal contraband, managing climate disasters, and combatting illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. Space-enabled data and services provide a modern solution to fight illegal activities and ensure continued access to marine resources that are important for the economies of island nations.

Moreover, island nations are inherently maritime nations that need to connect over vast and remote areas. For instance, the Maldives is 298 square kilometres of land in roughly 90,000 square kilometres of ocean. Therefore, telecommunication satellites enable communications that are crucial for connecting remote islands, facilitating everything from national security to emergency response and rescue operations.

One panellist provided a nuanced perspective, highlighting that some island nations, such as the Maldives, should consider their strategic locations and proximity to influential geopolitical players. It was cautioned that such proximity could put pressure on small island nations in light of rising geopolitical tensions. It was explained that when carrying out military activities involving their territorial waters, small island nations were finding it increasingly important to strengthen cross-government engagement to incorporate space technology for safeguarding maritime zones. Through such steps, island nations, such as the Maldives, could contribute to regional security.

However, to reap the benefits of space technology for development, national security and economic security while also contributing to multilateral discussions on space security and sustainability, island nations would need to invest in human capital, especially their young people. In addition, island nations could seek diplomatic partnerships, training and information exchange with allies in the space sector to further establish localized expertise and capacities.

The post Space Security and Sustainability: Why Is It Essential for Small Island Nations? first appeared on UNIDIR.

In times of peace, ensuring the freedom of navigation and the protection of marine biodiversity are fundamental norms and principles of the international system. The naval domain also plays a critical role in protecting international peace and security via naval arms control and specific operations designed to enforce arms embargoes and counter specific threats such as terrorism and piracy. In times of conflict, acquiring and retaining control over the seas, or denying the adversary such control, and the ability to project and sustain force overseas have often been the decisive factor between losing and winning.  

Yet, the international security community has not engaged in sustained and structured discussions on contemporary maritime security. While the international community has been united under a common strategy in addressing threats such piracy off the coast of Somalia or in the Gulf of Guinea, these efforts remain primarily local and ad hoc and fall short from providing more comprehensive sustainable solutions, as demonstrated by the current situation in the Red Sea.

For months, the Houthi movement has attacked commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea – one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Naval operations by the Combined Maritime Forces, the European Union, but also India and China aim at protecting trade from these attacks. Yet, ships continue to be damaged. Many shipping companies re-route their vessels to sail around the Cape Horn.

The attacks, however, are not only about money, shipping and trade. They show how interwoven the maritime space and its security are: coastal development, marine biodiversity, the safety of life at sea, and even digital connectivity are at stake, too.

The most dramatic incident in the Red Sea to date has been the sinking of the bulk carrier Rubymar in early March 2024. This event demonstrates very clearly the complexity of contemporary maritime security and the need for states to engage more meaningfully at the multilateral level on this important issue.

Severely damaged by missiles, the attacked Rubymar drifted in the Red Sea for several days. Salvage companies could not intervene because they feared coming under attack themselves.

The anchor of the drifting vessel damaged four underwater data cables that form part of the data superhighway on which internet connections between Europe and Asia depend. The result was a drop in connectivity in Asia.

The ship sank in shallow waters with 21,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer on board. An environmental crisis is predicted as the fertilizer leaks into the surrounding water. While the International Maritime Organization and the UN Environment Programme are working towards a salvage solution, if not addressed soon, the biodiversity in one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world is threatened.

An environmental disaster of this scale will have long term impact on the livelihood of coastal communities and destroy the local fishing and tourism industry with predictable destabilizing effects for the whole sub-region.

This and other Red Sea attacks reveal how complex and diverse maritime security is today with a very wide range of implications including, but not limited to, trade, digital connectivity, human security, sustainable development, particularly for coastal communities, and regional and international stability and security.

Many regional seas are today heavily industrialized spaces that economy and development increasingly depends on. Shipping has accelerated in the age of global supply chains. Offshore energy, including windfarms, is on the rise. The internet depends on the underwater cable system. 

The threat landscape is constantly evolving, combining old and new threats. The proliferation of cheap drone and missile technology presents a new threat, as does the growing number of cyber-attacks targeting maritime infrastructure, assets and services. Maritime crimes – whether it is piracy, the smuggling of weapons, narcotics and people – and environmental crimes like illegal fishing undermine both security and sustainable development.

UNIDIR’s new maritime security project aims to provide critical knowledge and ideas that can enable the global international peace and security community to better address these issues. As a first step, in the coming months UNIDIR will release a first report providing a general overview of both longstanding and emerging challenges related to maritime security, thereby establishing a baseline understanding for the diplomatic community of this complex and multi-faced issue. This will complement more specific work already being conducted to explore, for example, the issue of subsea communication cables. In addition, UNIDIR is exploring the possibility of establishing  a new series of annual convenings, the Geneva Dialogues on Maritime Security, in order to bring together a wide range of maritime security stakeholders and stimulate exchange of knowledge amongst them.

The post Navigating the Depths: Unravelling the Complexity of Contemporary Maritime Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

In recent years, government attention to the security and resilience of subsea telecommunications cables has undoubtedly intensified. While these systems are largely owned and operated by private companies, a growing number of States now qualify or designate subsea cables as critical – if not strategic – infrastructure. Their security and resilience are vital to economic and societal well-being, national security and much else. Recognizing this, UNIDIR launched a research project on the topic, resulting in an in-depth report titled Achieving Depth: Subsea Cables as Critical Infrastructure.

The roundtable will bring together a host of stakeholders to present the recent UNIDIR report and discuss its findings and recommendations. Structured in a roundtable format, speakers will discuss:

• Physical and cyber threats to subsea cable infrastructure and other vulnerabilities identified in the report.
• Best practices for mitigation and protection of the systems identified, and proposed security and resilience framework.
• Pathways for addressing the report’s other recommendations. 

Agenda

Welcome remarks

• H.E. Fergal Mythen, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations

Panel discussion

• H.E. Helen Popp, Ambassador-at-Large for Cyber Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
• H.E. Kriangsak Kittichaisaree, Judge, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
• Larissa Schneider Calza, Head of the Cyber Defense and Security Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil
• Kenneth Wong, Senior Director, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Singapore
• Kent Bressie, Legal Adviser, International Cable Protection Committee
• Dr. Camino Kavanagh, Research Fellow, UNIDIR

Moderated by Dr. Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of the Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

When and where

Monday, 30 March 2026 | 13:15 – 14:30 EDT | Room 8, UN Headquarters, New York, and online.

Check your local time here.

A light lunch will be provided for participants attending in person.

Participants

We welcome delegations, cyber experts as well as members of the multistakeholder community including industry, civil society and intergovernmental organizations.

Kindly note that UNIDIR is not able to grant access to the UN Headquarters for those who are not already in possession of the UN accreditation.

RSVP

Please register here by Friday, 27 March 2026. Kindly specify if you will be attending in person or connecting remotely.

Early registration is encouraged.

For those joining online, the link to access the event will be provided by email to registered participants one day prior to the session.

Further information

For further information or questions, please contact sectec-unidir@un.org.  

In partnership with

The post Roundtable on subsea cables as critical infrastructure first appeared on UNIDIR.

Against this backdrop, UNIDIR, in partnership with the Government of Norway, will host a dedicated session at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 that focuses on exchanging best practices and strengthening global efforts to secure and build resilience into subsea cable infrastructure – a growing priority on the global agenda. It seeks to catalyze cross-sectoral dialogue and concrete action to safeguard one of the most critical yet vulnerable components of the global digital ecosystem.

Agenda

The session will take place in two parts, combining national perspectives with multi-stakeholder insights:

Part 1: Ministerial dialogue – National perspectives on subsea cable protection

Ministers and senior officials will explore the strategic importance of safeguarding subsea cable systems within their national contexts. This dialogue offers a platform to showcase national regulatory frameworks and highlight the role of regional and international cooperation.

• Karianne Tung, Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, Norway
• Jarno Syrjälä, Under-secretary of State for International Trade, Finland
• Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria
• Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Estonia

Part 2: Expert panel – A multi-stakeholder approach to subsea cable resilience

Experts from governments, industry, academia and civil society will provide diverse perspectives on the evolving threat landscape and actionable measures to protect subsea cable infrastructure.

• Camino Kavanagh, Expert and Research Fellow, UNIDIR
• Steinar Bjørnstad, Strategic Competence and Research Manager, Tampnet
• Evijs Taube, Member of the Management Board, Latvia State Radio and Television Center
• Sandra Maximiano, Chair, Board of Directors, Anacom
• Tupou Baravilala, Director-General of Digital Government Transformation, Fiji
• Kent Bressie, Legal Adviser, International Cable Protection Committee

Moderated by Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of the Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

When and where

Monday, 23 June 2025, 11:30-13:00 CEST, Plenary Hall, NOVA Spektrum, Lillestrøm, Norway and online (via Zoom).

Online participation

If attending online, please consult this website to find your local time. The Zoom link will be published on the IGF website a few days before the session.

In partnership with

The post Securing critical links: Protection of subsea telecommunications cables first appeared on UNIDIR.

Maritime zones are increasingly vulnerable to conventional and non-conventional threats, including the proliferation of missile and drone technologies, the illicit flow of arms and the challenges of protecting critical maritime infrastructure from an increasingly complex threat landscape. This highlights the pressing need for a stronger integration between maritime governance and the international frameworks aimed at promoting disarmament, arms control and cooperative security.  

The recently adopted Pact for the Future reflects an urgent commitment to enhancing international cooperation in this domain. In particular, Action 22 of the Pact calls for more coordinated global efforts to secure our oceans through stronger maritime governance, environmental stewardship and measures to prevent the escalation of conflicts at sea. With increasing threats from climate change, geopolitical tensions and technological developments, acting swiftly and decisively is necessary to prevent further destabilization of our maritime environments. 

Within this context, UNIDIR’s report marks the first comprehensive exploration of contemporary maritime security and provides an essential baseline for understanding these diverse and complex challenges, setting the context for future in-depth studies.  

Event recording

Agenda

14:00-14:10: Welcome and opening remarks

• Dr Robin Geiss, Director, UNIDIR
• Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

14:10-14:40: Presentation of the report 

• Christian Bueger, Research Fellow, UNIDIR

14:40-15:00: Discussion

• Marianne Peron-Doise, Associate Research Fellow, French Institute for Strategic and Internationale Relations
• Dr Asyura Salleh, Associate Programme Officer, UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme
• Dr Sofia Galani, Assistant Professor of Public International Law, Panteion University, Greece 

15:00-15:20: Moderated Q&A, open discussion

• Moderator: Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

15:20-15:30: Closing and next steps 

• Usha Chandnee Dwarka-Canabady, Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations Office, Geneva

When and where

Friday, 8 November, 14:00-15:30 (CET), Room IX, Palais des Nations, Geneva, and online.

The post Securing the Seas: A Comprehensive Assessment of Global Maritime Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

Subsea telecommunications cables are an essential element of the information and communications technology ecosystem, transmitting practically all our inter-continental communications and data. Their security and resilience are critical to the well-being and functioning of societies across the globe, and to international security and stability. While technological innovation is enabling faster and more widespread connectivity, the global network of subsea cables is increasingly perceived to be at risk from the behaviours and actions of both State and non-State actors.

In April 2023, UNIDIR organized a first multi-stakeholder dialogue on subsea telecommunications cables during which it launched a report entitled “Wading Murky Waters: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State Behaviour”, which identified, amongst other, linkages between such infrastructure and the framework of responsible State behaviour agreed at the UN. In line with the essence of some of the agreed norms and CBMs, UNIDIR’sSecurity and Technology Programme has since launched a follow-on research project to further unpack what it means in policy and practice to designate or consider subsea cables as critical infrastructure, and the essential role of public-private collaboration in contributing to their security and resilience. The dialogue, which aims to capture emerging practices across States and regions, will contribute to the research project and the resulting report which will be launched in Geneva in June 2024.   

EVENT RECORDING

A recording of this event is available on our YouTube channel, and below.

SPEAKERS

Welcome Remarks: 

• Ambassador Fergal Mythen, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations

Speakers:

• Dr. Camino Kavanagh, Visiting Senior Fellow, Dept of War Studies, King’s College London
• Dr. Towela Nyirenda-Jere, Head of Infrastructure, Digitalisation and Energy, African Union Development Agency
• Mr. Kent Bressie, Law Adviser, International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC)
• Ms. Elina Noor, Senior Fellow, Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Moderator: 

• Mr. David Bruck, Director, International Security Policy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland

WHEN & WHERE

Tuesday 5 March 2024, 13:15 – 14:30 EDT.

Hybrid format: Conference Room 7, United Nations Headquarters, New York and online.

PARTICIPANTS

We welcomed delegations, cyber experts as well as members of the multistakeholder community including industry, civil society, and intergovernmental organizations.

Please kindly note that UNIDIR is not able to grant access to the United Nations Headquarters for those who are not already in possession of the UN accreditation.

RSVP

For any questions, please contact the UNIDIR Security and Technology Programme (sectec-unidir@un.org).

The post Subsea Communications Cables as Critical Infrastructure: What’s in a Designation? first appeared on UNIDIR.

To further unpack this complex issue and support more specific discussions and actions aimed at ensuring the protection of this critical information infrastructure, UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme organized a multi-stakeholder dialogue that also served as a platform for the launch of the new UNIDIR report Wading Murky Waters: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State Behaviour.

A recording of the event is available on UNIDIR’s YouTube Channel or below.

Programme:

10:00 – 10:10 Welcome remarks

• Ms Manon Le Blanc, Head of the Cyber Policy Sector, European External Action Service (EEAS)
• Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of Programme, Security and Technology, UNIDIR

10:10 – 10:30 Presentation of the UNIDIR Study on Subsea Communications Cables

• Dr Camino Kavanagh, Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of War Studies, King’s College London and Non-Resident Scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

10:30 – 11:20 Session 1: Threats and Vulnerabilities affecting Subsea Cable Systems* (Moderated by Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, UNIDIR)

11:20 – 11:40 Coffee break

11:40 – 12:30 Session 2: Subsea Cable Governance and Policy Responses* (Moderated by Dr Camino Kavanagh, King’s College London and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

*Sessions 1 and 2 will consist of expert discussions. The list of discussants includes:

• Mr Kent Bressie, International Law Adviser, International Cable Protection Committee
• Ms Sandra Delany, General Counsel, Aqua Comms
• Dr Tobias Liebetrau, Centre for Military Studies, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen
• Mr Pavel Mraz, Senior Project Manager, Digital Diplomacy, Microsoft
• Dr Towela Nyirenda-Jere, Head of the Economic Integration Division, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
• Dr Amreesh Phokeer, Internet Measurement and Data Expert, Internet Society, Mauritius
• Ms Noëlle Van der Waag-Cowling, Cyber Program Lead, Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA)
• Mr Simon Webster, Director, Submarine Networks, NEC Corporation
   

Participants:

Delegations, cyber experts as well as members of the multistakeholder community including industry, civil society, and intergovernmental organizations. Geneva-based representatives and experts were encouraged to attend the multi-stakeholder dialogue in person.

When:

The event took place on 4 April 2023, at 10:00-12:30 CEST. 

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