Cambodia has formally initiated compulsory consultation proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve a decades-long maritime territorial dispute with Thailand. The overlapping claims cover 26,000 square kilometers in the Gulf of Thailand.

The disputed area is estimated to hold approximately $300 billion in untapped oil and gas reserves, including 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Both nations stand to benefit significantly from developing these resources.

Tensions escalated after Thailand withdrew from a 2001 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia in May 2023, following deadly border clashes last year that left dozens dead. Mutual mistrust remains high.

Under UNCLOS, an ad hoc conciliation commission has been formed with four independent experts from Denmark, France, Germany, and South Africa. They will investigate facts and issue non-binding recommendations within 12 months.

Analysts warn that political hostility and nationalist sentiment, particularly in Thailand, pose the greatest obstacles to a settlement. The process may require 12-18 months to allow tensions to subside.

The only previous use of UNCLOS conciliation was between East Timor and Australia in 2016, which resulted in a maritime boundary treaty within two years. Two of the conciliators from that case are involved in the current talks.

Source: www.dw.com