Members are invited to note the joint statement (attached at the Annex) in relation to crew changes produced by the below-listed UN agencies, on 10 September:

International Labour Organisation

International Maritime Organisation 

UNCTAD

UN Food and Agriculture Organization 

International Organisation of Migration 

United Nations Human Rights 

International Civil Aviation Organisation 

United  Nations Global Compact

The Joint Statement calls on all Governments to immediately recognise seafarers as key workers, and to take swift and effective action to eliminate obstacles to crew changes, so as to address the humanitarian crisis faced by the shipping sector, ensure maritime safety and facilitate economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.