First Cambodia-Thailand Maritime Conciliation Meeting Set for Singapore
First Cambodia-Thailand Maritime Conciliation Meeting Set for Singapore
THE HAGUE, Sept. 9, 2026 — The Conciliation Commission handling the maritime dispute between Cambodia and Thailand under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will hold its first meeting with the two parties in Singapore from September 14 to 16, 2026, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) announced on Wednesday.
The meeting marks a significant procedural step in the conciliation process initiated by Cambodia over its maritime dispute with Thailand.
According to the PCA, the opening statements by Cambodia and Thailand are scheduled for 9 a.m. on September 15, Singapore local time, and will be webcast live in English, Khmer and Thai.
The proceedings were initiated by Cambodia on June 2, 2026, when Phnom Penh submitted a “Notification Instituting Conciliation under Article 11 of Annex V” to Thailand pursuant to Article 298 and Annex V of UNCLOS.
Thailand subsequently submitted its response to the notification on June 19, 2026.
Five-Member Commission
The five-member Conciliation Commission is chaired by Katrina Cooper of Australia.
The other members are Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen of Denmark, Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin of France, Judge Albert Hoffmann of South Africa and Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum of Germany.
With the agreement of Cambodia and Thailand, the Permanent Court of Arbitration is serving as the Registry for the proceedings.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Bangkok is fully prepared to participate in the first meeting on the basis of international law. It said the Thai delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow as Agent, together with Ambassador Songchai Chaipatiyut as Deputy Agent and officials from relevant agencies.
The first meeting will also consider the adoption of Rules of Procedure, which will establish the framework for the commission’s work and guide subsequent meetings and proceedings. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said the conciliation process is expected to take around 12 months, after which the commission will issue a report containing conclusions or recommendations that are not binding on the parties.
Conciliation, Not Adjudication
Under Annex V of UNCLOS, compulsory conciliation is a non-adjudicatory procedure. The commission assists the parties in seeking an amicable settlement rather than issuing a binding judgment.
The PCA explains that the commission may hear the parties, examine the legal and factual issues in dispute, explore areas of agreement and make proposals or recommendations.
The PCA cited the Timor Sea Conciliation between Timor-Leste and Australia as a notable example of the procedure. That process culminated in the signing of a treaty establishing the two countries’ maritime boundary in 2018.
The Cambodia-Thailand proceedings therefore enter a formal phase next week, with both sides expected to present their positions before the five-member commission.
The first meeting in Singapore will provide the parties with an opportunity to formally set out their positions and establish the procedural framework for the conciliation process, while the commission begins its work towards a possible amicable settlement of the maritime dispute.
