Cambodia Briefs IOM on UNCLOS Move and Border Situation with Thailand
Cambodia Briefs IOM on UNCLOS Move and Border Situation with Thailand
PHNOM PENH, June 9, 2026 — Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have discussed strengthening cooperation to support Cambodian migrants affected by emergency situations, particularly those vulnerable to the impacts of the Cambodia-Thailand border situation.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Her Excellency Yentieng Puthirasmey, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Ms. Nellie Ghusayni, Chief of Mission of IOM in Cambodia, at the ministry on June 5.
According to the ministry, both sides reviewed cooperation under IOM’s Crisis Response and Recovery Programme (CRRP), which aims to provide protection and assistance to Cambodian migrants during and after emergencies. Particular attention was given to migrant workers and Cambodian citizens who may be affected by developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The meeting focused on preparedness, response and recovery measures, with IOM expected to play a key role in delivering humanitarian assistance, facilitating coordination mechanisms and supporting the implementation of emergency response measures when necessary.
During the meeting, the Cambodian side also briefed IOM on the latest developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border and reiterated the Royal Government’s commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful and legal means.
Her Excellency Yentieng informed the IOM delegation about Cambodia’s decision to initiate Compulsory Conciliation proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to seek a peaceful and rules-based resolution to overlapping maritime claims with Thailand. The move follows Thailand’s unilateral withdrawal from the Cambodia-Thailand Memorandum of Understanding 2001 (MOU 2001), which had served as the bilateral framework for maritime negotiations.
The Secretary of State further highlighted Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to combat online scam-related crimes and other transnational challenges affecting the region.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation to protect vulnerable populations and strengthen emergency response mechanisms in support of Cambodian citizens at home and abroad.
