Cambodia Urges UN to Prioritize Dialogue Over Force in Border Disputes

NEW YORK (Dec. 15, 2025) — Cambodia called on the international community Monday to uphold dialogue as the only legitimate means of resolving border disputes, warning that military force undermines regional stability and international law.

Addressing the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, Cambodia’s Permanent Representative Keo Chhea said conflicts must be settled through trust, mutual respect and dialogue — not armed aggression. He told the commission that since Dec. 7, Thai forces have carried out what he described as large‑scale, unlawful military actions that caused civilian casualties, mass displacement and damage to cultural heritage sites and infrastructure.

“These actions run counter to the principles of good neighborliness and peaceful coexistence enshrined in the UN Charter,” Chhea said. He stressed that peace is possible only when parties remain committed to dialogue and existing mechanisms, warning that it collapses when force replaces diplomacy.

Cambodia’s intervention places the border tensions in a broader international context, reinforcing its call for rules‑based conflict resolution and adherence to international law as foundations for lasting peace.