The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) warned that the risk of a global “digital pandemic” is real.

In a world where six billion people, 74 per cent of humanity, rely on the Internet, a sudden outage would ripple through every aspect of modern life.

ITU observed that extreme heat can knock out power grids. Earthquakes can sever submarine cables. Solar storms can disable satellites. A quiet disruption could quickly cascade into a crisis for families, businesses, and communities everywhere.

A new study by ITU, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Sciences Po calls for urgent action to protect the digital lifelines people depend on. It urges governments, industry, and civil society to work together to map vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience.

“Connectivity is no longer a luxury — it is a lifeline,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “We must act now to ensure the Internet remains accessible, resilient, and ready for the challenges ahead.”

Next month, Geneva will host three major global gatherings focused on the future of digital cooperation: The AI for Good Global Summit (July 7–10, Palexpo) will showcase how artificial intelligence can improve lives. The UN’s inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance (July 6–7) will convene leaders to shape responsible AI frameworks.

The yearly WSIS Forum will advance global digital cooperation, continuing the legacy of the World Summit on the Information Society launched in Geneva in 2003.