AKP Phnom Penh, October 19, 2026 -- The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has today announced that the Conciliation Commission constituted under Annex V to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) finalised a set of confidence-building measures between Cambodia and Thailand at the second meeting in The Hague, the Netherlands.

According to a press release issued on Monday evening by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the confidence-building measures are aimed at strengthening mutual trust, enhancing communication, and fostering an atmosphere conducive to reaching an agreement. The full set of measures, which reflect the Parties' shared belief in dialogue and the rule of law, and their commitment to engage constructively in the conciliation process, are set out in the annex to the PCA's Press Release.

Among the agreed measures, the Commission noted that understandings and measures previously agreed by the Parties are not yet fully implemented. It encourages the Parties to implement undertakings that would help create an environment conducive to constructive negotiations within the conciliation. In this context, the Commission encourages both Parties to endeavour to enhance their diplomatic representation by appointing a senior level representative to the other Party's capital.

The Commission also encouraged both Parties to participate constructively and openly on the technical aspects of the delimitation in a working group under auspices of the Commission. In light of the Commission's recommendations above, both Parties agree to undertake actions or measures that could help build trust and confidence between them, including those identified above.

In addition, the Parties recognised each other’s right to make statements to protect their legitimate rights or to correct factual misinformation and disinformation. In order to foster an atmosphere conducive to reaching an agreement, both Parties will undertake to exercise restraint in public communications and statements that could contribute to negative public sentiment or heighten tension between the peoples of the two countries.

Cambodia reiterated its appreciation to the Commission and the PCA for helping reach agreement on these confidence-building measures. The Kingdom also reaffirmed its full support for the conciliation process that it initiated and belief that international law provides the pathway for peaceful resolution of disputes between States.

By C. Nika