Cambodia-Thailand Maritime Dispute Enters Formal Talks on September 14

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issued a communiqué on September 9 confirming that the Cambodia-Thailand Conciliation Commission, established under Annex V of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, will hold its first meeting in Singapore from September 14 to 16 with delegations from Cambodia and Thailand. This marks the formal entry of the Cambodia-Thailand maritime dispute into the substantive stage of international conciliation.

Previously, due to Thailand's unilateral termination of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both countries in 2001, Cambodia initiated compulsory conciliation procedures under international law on June 2 this year. Thailand responded on June 19, and the Permanent Court of Arbitration was entrusted to serve as the registry for this process.

It is reported that the Conciliation Commission consists of five international law experts from Australia, Denmark, France, South Africa, and Germany. On the morning of September 15, both parties will make opening statements, which will be broadcast live to the public in Khmer, English, and Thai.

The Cambodian delegation will be jointly led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn and Minister of the National Secretariat of Border Affairs Var Kimhong, with Prak Sokhonn delivering the opening statement on behalf of Cambodia.
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that international law is the foundation for the peaceful resolution of international disputes. Cambodia will actively participate in the conciliation with sincerity and a spirit of cooperation, and is committed to resolving differences through legal channels and dialogue mechanisms to maintain regional peace and stability.