Cambodia and Thailand to Hold First PCA-Mediated Meeting on Maritime Dispute

Cambodia and Thailand are set to strengthen their peaceful approach to resolving their long-standing maritime border dispute. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has officially announced that a reconciliation commission, mediated by the PCA, will hold its inaugural meeting in Singapore from September 14-16, 2026. This reconciliation procedure was initiated by Cambodia on June 2, 2026, through a notification requesting the establishment of a reconciliation mechanism under Article 11 of Annex V of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This followed Thailand's unilateral decision to abrogate the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was the sole bilateral mechanism for resolving the maritime boundary issues between the two countries. Thailand submitted its response on June 19, 2026. The reconciliation commission comprises five members, chaired by Ms. Katrina Cooper of Australia. Other members hail from Denmark, France, South Africa, and Germany. The PCA will serve as the Registry for this procedure, with the agreement of both parties. An opening statement from both Cambodia and Thailand is scheduled for September 15 at 9:00 AM Singapore time, with live broadcasts in English, Khmer, and Thai. According to the PCA's statement, this procedure is a peaceful dispute settlement mechanism under international law, where the neutral commission will hear both parties, examine legal and factual aspects, identify points of convergence, and offer proposals or recommendations for a peaceful resolution. This development underscores Cambodia's commitment to utilizing international legal forums and mediation bodies to resolve border and territorial disputes. Amidst rising tensions over maritime claims in the Southeast Asian region, such dialogue through international frameworks holds the potential to contribute to regional stability.