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MWC26 concluded amidst the US-Iran conflict, marked by anti-war protests and robust discussions on the peaceful application of technology and the establishment of resilient governance.

MWC26: Anti-War Protests and Consensus for Peace Amidst Ongoing Conflict

MWC26, the global festival of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry, has concluded under the shadow of the US-Iran War. Anti-war protests took place near the exhibition venue in Barcelona, Spain, and event participants forged a consensus that 'technology is for peace, not war.' Protesters urged technology companies and the international community to take responsibility, arguing that advanced technology, when combined with military technology, escalates civilian casualties. Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA, extended his condolences to those affected by the conflict, and King Felipe VI of Spain also expressed concern over the risk of escalating conflict and unpredictable consequences in the Middle East, emphasizing diplomatic solutions and the resumption of dialogue.

'Resilient Governance' Policy Discussions Emerge Amidst War

Prompted by the ongoing conflict, the MWC26 conference significantly addressed a policy agenda for 'resilient governance,' moving beyond 'technological neutrality.' John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer (CRO) at GSMA, underscored the importance of digital world governance in an era of intensifying geopolitical competition. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD, cited incidents involving submarine cable failures and cyberattacks, stressing that policymakers must make network resilience a core design requirement and ensure true autonomy through supply chain diversification.

Submarine Cable Vulnerabilities and the Importance of International Cooperation

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), highlighted the vulnerability of submarine cables, which carry 99% of international traffic. Concerns were raised that the Middle East, in particular, as a critical hub connecting Europe and Asia, could become a direct target for physical attacks or cyber terrorism. The ITU announced that it has launched an advisory body for submarine cable resilience, focusing on risk monitoring, improving recovery procedures, shortening recovery times, and ensuring geographical diversity.

*Source: Newsis (2026-03-06)*

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