U.N. General Assembly passes resolution on seafarer protection initiated by Indonesia

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday (Dec 1) passed a consensus resolution on international cooperation in protecting seafarers amid the pandemic, according to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

The U.N. resolution initiated by Indonesia has been sponsored by 71 member countries and is the first UNGA’s resolution on seafarers and the management of the flow of goods globally, the ministry said on Wednesday.

“The resolution is a concrete evidence of Indonesia’s progress as the largest maritime and archipelagic country in encouraging cooperation to protect seafarers, especially from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

The minister added that the support from 71 U.N. countries is a proof of Indonesia’s success in fighting for strategic issues as well as being a ‘bridge’ for the interests of countries from various regions.

The resolution is an important breakthrough considering that the issue of seafarers is the concern of all parties, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resolution, among others, asks countries to designate seafarers as key workers, implement provisions on seafarers’ safety including change of crew members, and encourage cooperation of all parties to facilitate travel, repatriation and access to health services for seafarers.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the U.N., Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, emphasized that the international support for the initiative is inseparable from the country’s active role in the multilateral diplomacy on the maritime sector and management of global cargo flows, and in encouraging cooperation amid the pandemic.

Indonesia’s initiative at the U.N. is in line with efforts to encourage increased international trade and smooth sea transportation.

The shipping sector transports 80 percent of world trade products and plays an important role in facing the challenges of COVID-19, especially in transporting medicines and medical equipment, foods, and other basic necessities.

Currently, Indonesia is the third largest country which has seafarers in the world after China and the Philippines.

Data from the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) show that there are around 2 million seafarers in the world who work on more than 980,000 commercial vessels, and transport more than 11 billion tons of global trade products.

Laporan: Redaksi