The representative of the Philippines Dr Vicente Belizarion, Undersecretary of the Department of Health, gave an update on preparations being jointly led by the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the financial support for the Ninth High Level Officials and Fourth Ministerial Meeting. Budget for the Forum has been secured in the amount of about USD 150,000 to cover the Ninth HLOM and the Fourth Ministerial Meeting. An event organizer would be hired to assist the government in facilitating administrative matters, such as hotel accommodation of Ministers and senior officials of 14 member countries, meals, supplies, and security measures. The Philippines was not however, able to anticipate the conduct of the Scientific Conference and the additional countries that may be interested to participate in that event. Since the Philippines had no matching funds to cover these adjustments, they requested that any gaps in funding local costs be supported by the secretariat or any development partners. Invitation letters for the 14 member countries had been drafted and were planned to be dispatched by the 3rd week of July. Thailand requested that health-related SDG goal and global resolutions on health and environment be addressed in the concept note for the Regional Forum. The Republic of Korea and Malaysia requested that working documents be distributed at least two weeks ahead of the meeting. The Republic of Korea also asked that an opportunity for the work of TWGs to be adequately discussed. The secretariat agreed to continue to develop the concept and work closely with the Government of the Philippines on arrangements including aiming to finalize all working documents before the end of August 2016.