Programme and Speakers

8:30 – 09:00: Registration and Networking

Welcome refreshments and participant check-in (open all day)

09:00 – 10:35: Meeting of the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience

Closed session for Advisory Body Members

10:35 – 10:50: Coffee Break

10:50 – 12:00: Meeting of the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience (continuation)

Closed session for Advisory Body Members

12:00 – 14:00: Lunch
(Open to all summit participants)

14:00 – 15:15: Summit Opening Session

Welcome Address:  H.E. Miguel Pinto Luz, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Portugal
 
Opening Remarks: Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, ITU
Message from ICPC Chairman, Dean Veverka 
Message from Ms. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, European Commission 

From Abuja to Porto: Fireside chat with the IAB Co-Chairs
Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chairwoman of ANACOM’s Board of Directors, Portugal  
H.E. Minister Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria 

15:15 – 15:30:  Setting the Scene 
 
Mr. Kent Bressie, ICPC Legal Adviser 

15:30 – 16:00: Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:30: Panel 1 – Accelerating Cable Repairs: Reducing Delays Through Smarter Processes 
 
Best practices and case studies for rapid response and recovery from disruptions. 

Panel:
1. Mr. Zhiguo Zhao, Chief Engineer of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China (China), Co-Facilitator WG 1 
2. Mr. Kevin Adams, Director (Interim), Digital Infrastructure, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (United Kingdom), Co-Facilitator WG1  
3. Mr. Mustafa Yaasin Sheik, Director General of National Communications Authority of Somalia (Somalia)  
4. Mr. Rui Faria, Executive Director of Angola Cables 
5. Mr. Vincent Lemaire, VP Special Projects of Alcatel Submarine Networks 

Moderator: Mr. John Wrottesley, Operations Manager, International Cable Protection Committee 

18:00 Gala Dinner
(open to all Summit participants)

07:30 – 9:30: Side Event –  Investment  breakfast  

This breakfast discussion will explore funding and partnership opportunities in the submarine cable sector
that can advance digital connectivity in traditionally underserved markets.

Separate registration required. Please email your interest to diginvest@itu.int

Welcome Remarks: Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU 

Opening Remarks:  
Mr. German Cufre, Practice Manager, Digital Access, World Bank
Mr. Rodney Taylor, Secretary-General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) 

Moderator: Mr. Alex Wong, Senior Advisor, Strategic Engagement and Initiatives, Office of the Secretary-General, ITU 

09:30 – 10:45: Panel 2 – Anticipating and Mitigating Risks Along the Global Subsea Network 

Exploring improvements in cable route design, monitoring technologies, and cable protection methodologies.

Panel:
1. Ms. Nonkqubela Thathakahle Jordan-Dyani, Director-General of Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (South Africa), Co-Facilitator WG 2 
2. Mr. Andy Palmer-Felgate, Vice President of North American Submarine Cable Association (NASCA), Co-Facilitator WG 2 
3. Mr. Sigurd Zhang, Executive Vice President of HMN Tech Co. Ltd.  
4. Dr. Eduardo Mateo, Director, Head of Technology Strategy of Submarine Network Division, NEC Corporation  
5. Ms. Jo Conroy, Technical Programme Manager of Google   

Moderator: Ms. Nomsa Muswai Mwayenga, Co-Founder of Africa Subsea Ecosystem Forum- ASEF-Africa 

10:45 – 11:15: Coffee Break

11:15 – 12:30: Panel 3 – Legal and Regulatory Tools to Reduce Risks and Strengthen Resilience 
 
Examining how legal and regulatory approaches at international and national levels can reduce risks and bolster the resilience of submarine cable systems. 

Panel:
1. Mr. Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive Officer (IMDA, Singapore) 
2. Mr. Gustavo Borges, Executive Superintendent, Anatel – National Telecommunications Agency (Brazil) 
3. Mr. Philip Marnick, General Director of TRA Bahrain 
4. Mr. Johannes Theiss, Head of Sector, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT), European Commission
5. TBA 

Moderator: Ms. Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)  

12:30 – 14:30: Lunch
(Open to all summit participants) 
 

14:30 – 15:45: Panel 4 – Resilient Subsea Infrastructure for Underserved Regions 
 
Making the economic case for submarine cables in underserved regions  and Identifying opportunities and resources to support connectivity

Panel:
1. Mr. German Cufré, Global Manager World Bank Group Digital Access, Co-Facilitator WG 3 (Alternate) 
2. Mr. Rodney Taylor, Secretary-General – Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Co-Facilitator WG 3 
3. H.E. Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India (India) 
4. Professor Manuel Cabugueira, Anacom Board Member (Portugal)
5. Mr.Syed Mohammad Shaharyar Jawaid, Senior ICT Specialist, Islamic Development Bank 

Moderator: Mr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, Executive Secretary of West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA)
 

15:45 – 16:15: Coffee Break 

16:15 – 17:00: Closing Session 

Family Photograph 
Closing Session: Key Takeaways. Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas and Mr. Kent Bressie, IAB Co-Executive Secretaries 
 
Call to Action: H.E. Minister Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria  
 
Closing Remarks – Summit Declaration: Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chair of ANACOM’s Board of Directors, Portugal