By Joyce Ann Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
A milestone declaration seeking stronger protection for seafarers was adopted in a Philippine government-led conference in Manila on Tuesday.
The Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being outlines eight commitments that advance sailors’ welfare amid the risks they face at sea, including global health crises and conflicts.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Carlos Sorreta said, as he presented the outcome document at the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-Being at the Manila Diamond Hotel, “The Manila declaration is forward looking. It anticipates the reality of an evolving maritime landscape. It prepares all of us to meet the demands of a new era with fairness, efficiency and sustainability.”
The eight commitments include upholding human rights at all times, fully enforcing the maritime labor convention, improving crisis preparedness, and respecting seafarers right to refuse to sail in high-risk areas without reprisal.
It also promotes corporate human rights due diligence, women’s empowerment, just transition amid digitalization and decarbonization, and harness international cooperation for maritime education and training.
As of press time, 10 countries have formally endorsed the declaration: Bangladesh, Germany, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The Philippine government encourages all maritime industry stakeholders—foreign governments and representatives of seafarers’ and ship owners’ groups—to endorse the document.
Sorreta said Manila will try to get as much adherence to the declaration as possible, and see what possible next steps to take from there.
The international forum held from Sept. 1 to 3 gathered more than 200 delegates from at least 40 countries.
Also present during the opening and closing ceremonies were Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan, and Philippine Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr.
The Philippines, as a primary source of sea-based workers, has long been a champion of seafarers’ rights. It has repatriated dozens of seafarers affected by the persistent Houthi attacks on the Red Sea over the past years.
Prior to the Manila Declaration, the Philippines also sponsored the historic UN Human Rights Council resolution that was adopted in 2024 as the first-ever document that recognized the role of seafarers in the society. (PNA)
