UK Welcomes Cambodia’s UNCLOS Move, Urges Continued Dialogue with Thailand

PHNOM PENH, June 18, 2026 (KPT) – The United Kingdom has welcomed Cambodia’s decision to pursue compulsory conciliation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while urging both Cambodia and Thailand to continue dialogue to peacefully resolve their border disputes.

British Ambassador Dominic Williams talked to KPT English on June 18, the UK “strongly supports international law and is a big supporter of UNCLOS,” describing Cambodia’s move as a positive step toward addressing maritime boundary issues.

He noted that discussions were beginning through the UNCLOS framework following Thailand’s appointment of conciliators, expressing hope the process could eventually lead to resolution.

Cambodia earlier appointed two international legal experts — Peter Taksoe‑Jensen of Denmark and Jean‑Marc Thouvenin of France — as conciliators in the process, underscoring its commitment to international law after Thailand’s reported withdrawal from the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding on overlapping continental shelf claims.

At the same time, Williams stressed the importance of tackling unresolved land border disputes through peaceful negotiations. He said dialogue remained the only viable path to easing tensions, which continue to affect communities on both sides of the frontier. Cambodia’s Interior Ministry reported more than 28,000 people remain displaced despite a ceasefire in place for nearly six months.

“The consistent message we give to both Thailand and Cambodia is that we want to see a process of dialogue restart. There is no other way to resolve these issues,” Williams said, adding that while sovereignty disputes often evoke strong emotions, respect for international law and dialogue remain essential for lasting peace.