Philippines at IMO: Seafarer rights, safety, and a bid for re-election to IMO Council

Philippines at IMO: Seafarer rights, safety, and a bid for re-election to IMO Council
Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. February 17, 2025 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/02/17/philippines-at-imo-seafarer-rig...

AT the outset, it is my distinct privilege to welcome you all to this reception organized by the Philippine delegation at the sidelines of the 11th Session of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training, and Watchkeeping or HTW. I wish all the delegates participating in this important meeting, fruitful discussions on the crucial issues at hand.

The Philippines, having an estimated 800,000 seafarers plying the world’s vast oceans, puts particular importance on the human element, given the difficulties seafarers face physically and psychologically while performing vital tasks on board their respective vessels—sometimes in the most trying of circumstances and the most challenging environments our planet has to offer. The recognition of these challenges is what led the Philippines to shepherd the resolution, which was adopted by the Human Rights Council in Geneva last year, entitled “Promoting and protecting the enjoyment of human rights by seafarers.” This is a milestone document in protecting sailors all around the world. Furthermore, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law last September 2024, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which embodies the Philippines’ strong commitment to safeguarding the rights of our seafarers and promoting their well-being.

Related to the protection of seafarers, the Philippines welcomes the news of the release of the crew on board the MV Galaxy Leader, including 17 Filipinos as well as nationals from Bulgaria, Mexico, Romania, and Ukraine, after over 400 days in captivity. In this regard, the Philippines offers its profound gratitude to His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, and his government for their successful mediation and support in facilitating the safe release of the seafarers. I likewise wish to recognize the crucial efforts of Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez of the IMO, the IMO Secretariat, and IMO Member States, and offer them our sincere thanks.

We express our gratitude to those who have provided the freedom of our captured mariners. They returned hale and hearty and found negative for PTSD. Filipino resilience. But no one should have to go through such long captivity, denied company of family in pure power plays.

Looking to the future, the international community and all stakeholders must strongly advocate for respect of navigational rights and promote the rights and safety of seafarers worldwide. Their security and safety from collateral hurt must not be hostage to international power plays.

The Philippines emphasizes the imperative to safeguard the maritime workforce, including through international cooperation on timely and practical initiatives, such as enhanced training for seafarers navigating high-risk areas, sharing of real-time threat intelligence, exploring alternative safer routes, and ensuring respect for the right of seafarers to refuse to sail without prejudice to their employment and its prospects. It is important that all IMO Member States uphold the institution’s mandate for safe, secure, and sustainable shipping in line with international law, particularly, the UNCLOS.

In line with the enduring Philippine commitment to the IMO and multilateralism, I am pleased to announce the candidature of the Philippines for re-election to the International Maritime Organization Council, under Category C, for the term 2026-2027 at elections to be held during the 34th IMO Assembly on 24 November to 3 December 2025. Rest assured that the Philippines will continue to give the world its very best.

The Philippines has been an active member of the IMO since 1964 and a member of the Council since 1997. We are a major provider of competent seafarers, a maritime nation, and long a member always in good standing of the international maritime community. We are a strong collaborator on IMO projects, an advocate for women in maritime, as well as a party to various international maritime conventions and agreements. As a testament of our support of such agreements, we will witness the signing of three documents at this reception, namely the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) of the Philippines with Georgia, the International Chamber of Shipping, and International Transport Workers’ Federation. Another MOU with Latvia was signed just yesterday. In this regard and in line with our strong commitment to maritime governance, the Philippines hopes to have the opportunity to continue to serve on the IMO Council, under Category C. We seek your valuable support for the Philippine candidature to this crucial body.

In closing, I wish to thank all delegations and colleagues present and wish you a pleasant evening and a successful outcome in your meetings in the days ahead. Thank you.