Cambodia Pursues JBC for Land Borders and UNCLOS Conciliation for Maritime Disputes, Hun Manet Says

Cambodia Pursues JBC for Land Borders and UNCLOS Conciliation for Maritime Disputes, Hun Manet Says

PHNOM PENH, October 17, 2026 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has stressed that negotiations over the country’s borders must be grounded in legal documents, reliable evidence and clear technical information, saying the government has a major responsibility to protect national sovereignty.

In a post published on his official Facebook account, Hun Manet said border negotiations required careful preparation, thorough work and a high degree of patience to safeguard Cambodia’s national interests.

He cautioned against relying on unverified information from television, social media, hearsay or personal intuition when addressing sensitive border issues.

“Border negotiations between countries are a major responsibility of the Royal Government toward the nation and its people,” Hun Manet said, emphasising the need for clear documentary, legal and technical foundations.

He added that decisions could not be made without a sound legal basis, reliable border-related technical information or credible documentation.

Cambodia pursues bilateral and international mechanisms

Hun Manet said the choice of a dispute-resolution mechanism should depend on the circumstances and the situation on the ground.

He pointed to Cambodia’s efforts to advance bilateral negotiations on the land border through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

For maritime boundary issues, he said Cambodia was using an international mechanism through compulsory conciliation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The remarks highlight the Cambodian government’s position that different border disputes may require different approaches, provided the chosen mechanisms are appropriate to the circumstances.

Cambodian delegation attends UNCLOS conciliation proceedings

Hun Manet also extended his best wishes to the Cambodian delegation and legal team led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, who was representing Cambodia in the second meeting of the conciliation commission involving Cambodia and Thailand.

The meeting was scheduled for October 14–18, 2026, in The Hague, the Netherlands, at the Peace Palace, where the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are based.

The proceedings form part of the compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS concerning maritime issues between Cambodia and Thailand.

Hun Manet’s statement reinforces his call for border negotiations to rely on verifiable evidence, established legal frameworks and careful technical analysis, while pursuing both bilateral and international mechanisms to address Cambodia’s land and maritime disputes.