The Caribbean SMART Cables initiative is a region-led, three-year process co-convened by IOCARIBE, WMO, ITU and CTU, with technical support from the ITU/WMO/UNESCO-IOC Joint Task Force on SMART Cables.

The goal is to build a shared understanding of how SMART Cables (submarine telecommunications cables with integrated environmental sensors) can support Caribbean early warning systems, ocean and climate observing, and regional resilience. The approach is phased: starting with awareness and dialogue in 2026, moving into regional cohesion and partner engagement in 2027, and working toward a regional pilot concept by 2028, with potential visibility at COP 32 or COP 33.

The first concrete step is an inaugural webinar on 21 May 2026, convened jointly by WMO, IOC-UNESCO (IOCARIBE, ICG CARIBE-EWS), ITU and CTU and open to regulators, policy makers, national meteorological and ocean services, disaster management agencies, telecom operators, scientific partners and interested stakeholders across the region. This webinar will have four talks and will cover the global SMART Cables initiative, ocean science opportunities specific to the Caribbean, early warning systems, and submarine cable infrastructure resilience (each followed by open Q&A) and closing with a panel dialogue and an invitation for attendees to join a regional working group. The webinar will be available in English and Spanish.

Key partners include WMO Regional Office, IOC-UNESCO (IOCARIBE, ICG CARIBE-EWS), ITU, CTU, with technical support from the ITU/WMO/UNESCO-IOC JTF on SMART Cables.