Nations Unite to Safeguard Undersea Connections

Seventeen countries have launched a new international framework to strengthen cooperation in protecting critical underwater infrastructure, helping safeguard the networks that support global communication, energy and trade.

“We don’t want a situation whereby such critical infrastructures are disrupted, and all of us get the negative knock-on effect,” said Chan Chun Sing, Singapore’s Minister for Defence. “Any disruption on one part of the network is a disruption on the entire network.”

The Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges (GUIDE) was launched in Singapore with support from countries across Europe, the Middle East, Oceania and Southeast Asia. The voluntary framework promotes information sharing, expert exchanges, and coordinated responses to potential threats affecting subsea infrastructure. Undersea cables carry more than 95% of global internet and data traffic, while underwater pipelines and power links play a vital role in energy security. By establishing shared principles and encouraging cross-border collaboration, the initiative aims to strengthen resilience and help protect essential services relied upon by billions of people worldwide.