​THE Philippines will host the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-being from Sept. 1 to 3, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday. ​The country is known as the largest source of mariners worldwide. ​The event will gather 200 senior government officials, as well as industry leaders, 10 maritime organization representatives, and close to 30 civil society and industry partners from over 30 countries. ​It is co-organized by the Maritime Industry Authority, the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the DFA. ​”Seafarers are the lifeblood of global trade. Upholding their human rights, safety, and well-being is not an option, but an obligation we all share,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said in a statement. ​”This conference is an important platform toward deepening global discourse on this issue and driving momentum for common action,” Lazaro added. ​The event will also feature side events on digital innovations in maritime services, psychological safety for seafarers and empowerment lectures for women in the maritime workforce, the DFA said. ​The event “follows the adoption of United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 56/18 in Geneva last July, the first resolution recognizing the vital role of seafarers in sustaining global trade and the urgent need to strengthen protections for their rights and welfare,” the DFA said. ​The Philippines “played a key role in pushing for this landmark resolution, underscoring its commitment as one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers,” it added. ​The participants would tackle critical areas, including upholding human rights at sea at all times; protecting seafarers in crisis situations; promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the maritime industry; and ensuring a just transition for seafarers amid climate change and technological transformation, the DFA said.