DFA Statement In Celebration Of 2024 Maritime Day

MANILA 26 September 2024 - On this World Maritime Day, the Department of Foreign Affairs honors the invaluable contributions of our Filipino seafarers and the Philippine maritime industry to global peace and prosperity. 

We express our gratitude to all those involved in the maritime sector, from ship owners and operators to port authorities, manning agencies and maritime professionals. 

More importantly, we wish to highlight the competence, dedication and professionalism of our Filipino seafarers who navigate the vast ocean and seas as the backbone of the international maritime industry. Their efforts cultivate the economic interdependence of countries, steady global supply chains and nurture people-to­people exchanges. 

This is why the Philippines will continue to give utmost priority to the safety of our seafarers. We take this opportunity to again echo the call of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Security Council, among others, for respect for the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, and for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. We express appreciation to the global maritime sector for giving due regard to the right of seafarers to refuse to sail in designated high-risk areas. And we also thank our partners at the United Nations Human Rights Council for joining us in adopting the Resolution (A/HRC/56/L.4) titled, "Promoting and Protecting the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Seafarers", which reaffirms that safe and decent living and working conditions at sea is a human rights imperative. 

With the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the constitution of the ocean, the Philippines will continue to advocate practical cooperation among States and stakeholders in ensuring and enhancing maritime safety and security, with due regard to the preservation and protection of the marine environment. 

As we celebrate World Maritime Day, the Philippines calls on all States and stakeholders to reaffirm and mobilize action on their commitments towards promoting a safe, secure and sustainable maritime sector. And let us all continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of our seafarers, ensuring that they are treated fairly, with dignity and with respect. END