Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines

Subsea fibre-optic cables, which carry 99% of intercontinental data traffic, are increasingly vulnerable and subject to disruptions, raising security concerns. The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) has gaps that do not adequately protect these cables. This shared vulnerability has created an opportunity for increased collaboration between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU). Both organizations recognize the need to protect this critical infrastructure, viewing an attack on one part of the network as an attack on the entire system. Recent statements from EU and Singapore officials highlight the necessity of international cooperation to secure these vital underwater lifelines, focusing on resilience rather than geopolitical alignment.

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