Key facts
- Cambodia initiated a compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS for its maritime dispute with Thailand.
- The dispute concerns overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand, estimated to hold $300 billion in energy resources.
- Thailand recently terminated a 2001 agreement that provided a framework for negotiations.
- Cambodia has formally notified Thailand and the United Nations of this action.
- The conciliation commission will investigate facts and deliver non-binding recommendations.
Cambodia has initiated a compulsory conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve a long-running maritime boundary dispute with Thailand. The dispute covers approximately 26,000 sq km in the Gulf of Thailand, estimated to contain nearly 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and large quantities of oil valued at about $300 billion. This action follows Thailand's unilateral termination of a 2001 pact that aimed to establish a framework for jointly exploiting these energy resources. Cambodia aims to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights. The compulsory conciliation process involves each country appointing two conciliators to a Conciliation Commission, which selects a fifth member as chair. This commission will investigate the facts and legal positions to deliver non-binding recommendations, which will also be reported to the UN secretary general. This mechanism has previously been used by East Timor to resolve a maritime dispute with Australia.