The meeting was convened in compliance with a resolution, adopted by SEAMEC at its last conference in Bangkok, as follows:
"That the Council authorize SEAMES to convene as soon as possible a meeting of experts from member countries to formulate an appropriate index for determining a more equitable distribution of member country contributions to SEAMES and to submit its recommendations to the Tenth SEAMEC Conference."
Held in Manila, from July 16 through 18, 1974, the meeting was convened by SEAMES and was hosted by the Philippine government.