The Philippines Launches Upcoming International Seafarers’ Rights Conference at the United Nations in Geneva
DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa T. Almojuela of the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations moderates the panel discussion on “No one left adrift: seafarers at the cross currents of commerce, conflict, and change”, on 19 June 2025 at the sidelines of the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
GENEVA 02 July 2025 — The Philippines formally launched the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Welfare, which it will host on 01 to 03 September 2025 in Manila, through a panel discussion on the sidelines of the ongoing 59th Session of the Human Rights Council held on 19 June 2025.
Under the theme “No one left adrift: seafarers at the cross currents of commerce, conflict, and change”, the panel discussion introduced the upcoming conference and the envisioned Manila Declaration on seafarers’ rights. It also served as a platform to gain valuable insights from representatives of key stakeholders in the global shipping industry.
DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa T. Almojuela said that “this is the Philippine Government’ response to the call of the UN Human Rights Council for strengthened collaboration among all maritime shipping stakeholders to promote and protect the human rights, safety, and well-being of seafarers amidst global shifts and upheavals”.
“We are moving forward with this initiative crucial to us and many others, crucial to the health of global trade, and crucial to the universalization of human rights, without adding to the fiscal burden facing the United Nations,” added Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.
The initiative builds on the landmark resolution adopted during the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council on 11 July 2024, which, for the first time, recognized the vital role of seafarers in global society. The resolution affirmed that ensuring safe and decent working and living conditions at sea—especially during crises—is a human rights imperative. It also highlighted the broader impact of seafarers’ welfare on global supply chains, economic stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The September conference in Manila builds on this initiative by gathering together senior government officials, senior representatives of international organizations, and shipping industry stakeholders to discuss major issues affecting seafarers, their impact on the continued dynamism and sustainability of global shipping, and ways forward. These include upholding human rights at sea for all and at all times; protecting seafarers in crisis situations; promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the maritime industry; and seafarers and just transition in the maritime industry.
As host, the Philippines aims to issue a Declaration on seafarers’ human rights, safety, and well-being for endorsement by governments, seafarers’ and shipowners’ groups, civil society, think tanks and other academic institutions that have a stake in the industry. The goal is to generate broad-based support for seafarers’ rights beyond the formal and highly technical space of relevant UN specialized agencies. END
Assistant Secretary Almojuela served as the moderator. The panelists were Doreen Debrum, Permanent Representative of the Marshall Islands, Mr. Rangga Yudha Nagara, Head of the Seafarers Taskforce, Directorate for Indonesian Citizens Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Minister-Counsellor Martin Torbergsen of the Permanent Mission of Norway, Counsellor Grisselle del Carmen Rodriguez Ramirez of the Permanent Mission of Panama, Ms. Beatriz Vacotto, Head of the Maritime Unit, International Labour Standards Department of the International Labour Organization; and Mr. David Hammond, Executive Director of Human Rights at Sea International.
For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinGeneva/ or https://www.instagram.com/phingeneva/.