Regarding the Conciliation Process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea October 20, 2026
Regarding the Conciliation Process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea October 20, 2026
Cambodia PR Team Responses
Regarding the Conciliation Process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
October 20, 2026
Q1: What progress has been made in the maritime border conciliation process between Cambodia and Thailand?
A: On October 19, 2026, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) announced that the Conciliation Commission under Annex V of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) completed the confidence-building measures between Cambodia and Thailand at its second meeting in The Hague, the Netherlands. These measures aim to strengthen confidence, enhance relations, and create a favorable atmosphere for negotiations toward an agreement. It should be noted that the use of the compulsory conciliation mechanism under UNCLOS was Cambodia’s initiative, following Thailand’s decision to unilaterally revoke the 2001 MOU, which was the sole bilateral mechanism for negotiating the overlapping maritime claims between the two countries.
Q2: How important are the confidence-building measures agreed upon by Cambodia and Thailand?
A: The measures established by the Conciliation Commission are important in reducing mutual distrust, enhancing cooperation, and creating favorable conditions for constructive negotiations. They also demonstrate the commitment of both parties to using dialogue and the rule of law to seek a peaceful solution and to move toward an agreement through the conciliation mechanism.
Q3: What key issues did the Conciliation Commission raise that Cambodia and Thailand should take into consideration?
A: The Conciliation Commission noted that certain agreements and measures previously agreed upon by both parties have not yet been fully implemented. Therefore, the Commission encouraged Cambodia and Thailand to implement existing commitments in order to create a better atmosphere for negotiations and to promote the effectiveness of the conciliation process.
