Australia and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ASEAN’s digital resilience by co-hosting a regional workshop focused on protecting and repairing submarine telecommunications cables, the critical infrastructure underpinning global connectivity
Australia and Singapore have strengthened their collaboration to enhance digital connectivity and infrastructure resilience across Southeast Asia through the ASEAN Workshop on Implementing Best Practices for Submarine Cable Protection and Repairs, held on 23–24 June 2026. The workshop was jointly delivered by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Australia’s Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC), bringing together ASEAN partners to advance regional cooperation on safeguarding vital telecommunications infrastructure.
Opening the workshop, Deputy Head of Mission Emily Follett highlighted the importance of international collaboration in ensuring secure and reliable digital connectivity. The initiative reflects the growing partnership between Australia and Singapore in supporting ASEAN member states to strengthen legal, regulatory and operational frameworks governing the protection, maintenance and repair of submarine telecommunications cables.
Submarine telecommunications cables carry approximately 99 per cent of global international data traffic, making them indispensable to modern economies, financial systems, government services and everyday communications. As digital economies continue to expand across the Indo-Pacific, ensuring the resilience of these undersea networks has become an increasingly important regional priority. Australia’s CCRC, established to support Indo-Pacific governments through technical assistance, policy development and capacity building, has been working closely with regional partners to promote international best practices in undersea cable governance.
The workshop also builds upon ASEAN’s recently endorsed Enhanced ASEAN Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables, which were adopted at the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting earlier this year. The updated guidelines provide member states with a shared framework to improve cable protection measures, streamline repair processes and strengthen cross-border coordination during cable disruptions.
By combining Australia’s technical expertise with Singapore’s leadership in regional digital cooperation, the two countries are reinforcing ASEAN’s capacity to protect one of the world’s most critical pieces of digital infrastructure. Their joint efforts aim to ensure that the region remains well connected, economically resilient and prepared to meet the growing demands of an increasingly digital future.
Source: Australian High Commission in Singapore
