(30 September 2019) – In 27-28 September 2019, the Philippines as Chair of the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment (APRFHE), through the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), held the Tenth High- Level Officials Meeting (HLOM) of the APRFHE at the Manila Hotel, Philippines. This year, 30 countries with more than a hundred delegates had attended, including officials and technical officers from the Ministries of Health and Environment in the Asia Pacific Region, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Inter Agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH) member agencies, and other international observers.

Through such milestone, it is envisaged that the profile of environment in the Philippines and in the Asia-Pacific Region will be boosted by the advocacies highlighted leading ultimately to the improvement of human health. These improvements are crucial in the achievement of universal health care and the sustainable development goals.

At the end of the event, the Philippines, led by DOH Undersecretary Myrna C. Cabotaje and DENR Assistant Director Vizminda A. Osorio, turned-over the APRFHE Chairship to the Indonesian counterparts.

Turn-over of APRFHE Chairship from the Philippines to Indonesia

Delegates to the 10th High Level Officials Meeting of the APRFHE