The Government of Tuvalu and the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) shared insights from policy and regulatory work to strengthen the protection of Vaka cable – Tuvalu's first subsea telecommunications cable at the 19th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Policy and Regulation Forum (PRFP-19).
Held in Funafuti, Tuvalu from 4–6 August 2026, the PRFP-19 brought together policymakers, and regulators from across the Pacific to share policy and regulatory approaches for advancing digital transformation in the Pacific including practical approaches to strengthening digital connectivity, resilience and critical infrastructure. The Government of Tuvalu and CCRC presented a session that showcased the development of a cable protection framework and supporting legislation for Vaka Cable.
Vaka Cable is critical infrastructure providing reliable international connectivity and supporting enhanced opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic growth. Protecting this infrastructure is essential to ensuring Tuvalu remains connected now and into the future.
Ms. Simalua Taliu, Permanent Secretary of the Government of Tuvalu’s Ministry of Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation opened the session with an overview of Vaka Cable and the importance of practical measures, supported by effective legislative and regulatory settings, to safeguard this critical infrastructure.
The session outlined the Government of Tuvalu and CCRC’s work to develop a locally led cable protection framework, provide policy advice to inform cable protection legislation, and support the legislative drafting process. This included how international best practice in subsea cable policy and protection is adapted to Tuvalu's legal, regulatory and operational context.
CCRC also presented its Best Practice Toolkit, which provides practical guidance to Indo-Pacific governments to strengthen policy and regulation frameworks that govern the planning, protections and management of subsea telecommunications cables.
The session highlighted the value of trusted partnerships, practical technical support and locally led approaches to strengthening cable protection. CCRC is proud to work alongside the Government of Tuvalu to strengthen the resilience of Vaka cable.