Philippines ready to mediate Cambodia, Thailand talks in 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday, December 22, that Manila is ready to act as mediator between Cambodia and Thailand once it formally assumes chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. 

“The Philippines said that it is prepared to assume the role of facilitator/mediator between Cambodia and Thailand should both parties decide to make use of the good Office of the Chair once the Philippines assumes the Chairship in January 2026,” said the DFA in a statement late Monday, after a special meeting between foreign ministers of all 11 member states in an attempt to restore a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. 

Ministers met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the special meeting, which took place just weeks before Malaysia officially ends its chairmanship. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed for their defense chiefs to meet, in hopes of resuming a ceasefire that was initially negotiated in July and formalized in late October during the 47th ASEAN Summit. 

The special meeting, chaired by Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji, was meant to be a platform “to consider possible steps that ASEAN may take in support of the ongoing efforts towards de-escalation and cessation of hostilities in the interest of peace and stability between the two ASEAN Member States and the wider region,” according to Malaysia. 

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Kuala Lumpur, as chair of the bloc, has taken upon itself a large role in trying to restore peace between the two ASEAN neighbors. For weeks, the two countries have engaged in daily changes of rockets and artillery. 

It’s a mantle Manila will be taking over soon when it officially chairs ASEAN in 2026. 

The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia isn’t the only emerging security concern for chair Manila and the rest of the bloc. There are tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, alongside an aspiration to conclude a code for the South China Sea between ASEAN and China by 2026. 

ASEAN is also still grappling with the situation in junta-led Myanmar. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro will be the chair’s special envoy to Myanmar, on top of her duties as foreign minister and chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meetings. – Rappler.com