The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia announced on October 9, 2026, that the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission will convene its second meeting with Cambodia and Thailand from October 14 to 18, 2026, in The Hague. The statement does not mention the specific agenda for this meeting, nor does it address the timeline for a resolution. The first meeting of the Conciliation Commission took place in Singapore from September 14 to 16, 2026. This second meeting follows a series of diplomatic exchanges between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, including a meeting between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Brunei Darussalam on April 27, 2026. The statement does not provide details on the outcomes of these prior meetings. — the full statement has further detail.
Context
The convening of this second Conciliation Commission meeting represents a continuation of diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-standing maritime dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. The UNCLOS Conciliation Commission is established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to provide a mechanism for resolving disputes relating to its interpretation or application. The statement does not mention the specific issues expected to be discussed, but the previous meeting in Singapore concluded with a commitment to further dialogue. The statement does not mention the specific terms of the agreement reached in Singapore, but the 2026-09-09 press release confirms the scheduling of this second meeting. The statement does not mention the role of the Netherlands in this process, but the meeting is to be held in The Hague, the seat of the International Court of Justice, which has jurisdiction over disputes brought before the Conciliation Commission. This suggests a continued, if cautious, approach to resolving the dispute, potentially leveraging the ICJ’s established framework.
What to Watch
Should the visit yield a clearer understanding of the sticking points between Cambodia and Thailand, the statement does not specify what further steps will be taken. The statement does not address the potential for a formal ruling by the Conciliation Commission. The statement does not address the potential for a referral to the International Court of Justice. The statement does not mention the timeline for a final resolution, but the scheduling of this second meeting indicates a commitment to continued engagement. The statement does not mention any preconditions for further talks. The statement does not address the broader geopolitical context of the dispute, including the involvement of other regional actors. The statement does not address the underlying strategic interests driving the Cambodian and Thai positions.
The statement does not mention the history of this dispute, including the 1960s boundary agreement that Cambodia has not ratified. The statement does not mention the 2011 arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines, which Cambodia has rejected. The statement does not mention the 2026-09-09 press release confirming the scheduling of the first meeting in Singapore from September 14 to 16, 2026. The statement does not mention the 2026-09-15 press release detailing the Opening Statement by Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn at the First Meeting of the Conciliation Commission. The statement does not mention the 2026-09-16 press release confirming the conclusion of the first meeting between Cambodia and Thailand.
Sources & Further Reading
- Official press release
- Foreign ministry source
- UNCLOS Conciliation Commission to Convene First Meeting with Cambodia and Thailand in Singapore from 14 to 16 September 2026 Read More 09 September 2026 (2026-09-09)
- The Opening Statement of His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in his capacity as Agent for Cambodia, at the First Meeting of the Conciliation Commission (Opening Session) Read More 15 September 2026 (2026-09-15)
- UNCLOS Conciliation Commission Concludes its First Meeting between Cambodia and Thailand Read More 16 September 2026 (2026-09-16)
