ASEAN has not dropped the Cambodia–Thailand border issue from its diplomatic agenda, with foreign ministers reaffirming continued engagement and follow-up discussions during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat, held on January 29, in Cebu.
Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn attended the retreat, where the bloc reviewed progress and next steps following earlier ASEAN-led efforts to ease tensions between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
Opening the closed-door meeting, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa P. Lazaro, in her capacity as AMM chair for 2026, outlined her priorities for the year, stressing the need for ASEAN to confront both existing and emerging regional challenges collectively.
She said ASEAN’s focus remains on building a sustainable and resilient community, in line with the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”, while ensuring that unresolved security issues among member states continue to receive attention.
The Cambodia–Thailand situation was discussed as part of follow-up efforts stemming from the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on December 22, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Cambodia reaffirmed its strong commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law, existing treaties and agreements, to ensure regional peace and stability,” said a foreign ministry statement.
Phnom Penh stressed that a rules-based approach remains essential to safeguarding peace and stability, not only between Cambodia and Thailand but across the wider region.
