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The Philippines led the formal launch of the Manila Declaration, a landmark global call to action to safeguard the rights, safety, and welfare of seafarers
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Maritime Industry Authority administrator Sonia Malaluan said the Declaration stands as a compass for collective action, urging governments, industry, and global institutions to work together in ensuring that human rights, inclusivity, and just transition principles shape the future of maritime work
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The Manila Declaration outlines eight commitments stated as being actionable, and mutually interdependent
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10 countries have so far endorsed the Declaration
The Philippines has led the formal launch of the Manila Declaration, a landmark global call to action to safeguard the rights, safety, and welfare of seafarers.
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) administrator Sonia Malaluan in a statement said the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-being now stands as a guiding compass for collective action, urging governments, industry, and global institutions to work together in ensuring that human rights, inclusivity, and just transition principles shape the future of maritime work.
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva Carlos Sorreta, for his part, called the Manila Declaration a roadmap to safeguard seafarers’ rights and dignity.
The declaration was presented as the outcome document of this year’s International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-being hosted by the Philippines from September 1-3.
Delegations and organizations during the conference were invited to endorse the Declaration through written commitments, official notes, or public statements of support, even after the conference.
The Manila Declaration outlines eight commitments that are stated as being actionable, and mutually interdependent. These include:
- Uphold human rights at all times.
- Fully enforce the Maritime Labour Convention.
- Improve crisis preparedness.
- Respect seafarer’s rights to refuse to sail in high-risk areas without reprisal.
- Promote corporate human rights due diligence.
- Foster inclusion and women empowerment.
- Ensure a just transition amid digitalization
- Harness international cooperation for maritime education and training.
As of press time, 10 countries have formally endorsed the Manila Declaration, including the Philippines, Bangladesh, Germany, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Human Rights at Sea, a UK-based nonprofit organization with a mission to end human rights abuses at sea, said it has also committed to support the Manila Declaration. – Roumina Pablo
