Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, issued a statement summarizing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting on the tense situation between Cambodia and Thailand. It reaffirmed ASEAN's role in peaceful mediation, calling on both parties to cease fighting, restore confidence, and return to the negotiation table. The statement also emphasized close monitoring of the situation to prevent escalation of violence in the region.
Malaysia, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, released the ASEAN Chair’s statement summarizing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting concerning the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand, as follows:
1. ASEAN Foreign Ministers held a special meeting to discuss the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand in Kuala Lumpur on 22 December 2025, following the resolution of the Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand on 11 December 2025.
2. Malaysia reported to the meeting on the efforts of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as ASEAN Chair, to support Cambodia and Thailand in ending the fighting. The meeting also received reports from the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) within its mandate. Cambodia and Thailand presented their respective positions.
3. The meeting commended the proactive role and continuous engagement of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President Donald J. Trump, with active participation from ASEAN member states and China, in promoting peaceful resolution of the ongoing situation. The meeting welcomed the willingness and readiness of Prime Minister Hun Manet and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to continue cooperating with the ASEAN Chair to reduce tensions and prevent misunderstandings that could worsen the situation.
4. The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN unity and solidarity, as well as ASEAN’s crucial role in promoting peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region, as set out in the ASEAN Charter.
5. The meeting recalled the ceasefire agreement dated 28 July, the resolution of the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on 7 August, and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on 26 October 2025, calling on both Cambodia and Thailand to fully and effectively implement these agreements.
6. The meeting expressed deep concern over the ongoing tensions and fighting, which have caused numerous deaths, damage to civilian infrastructure, and displacement of civilians on both sides of the border. It called on both parties to ensure that civilians living in the affected border areas can return safely and with dignity to their homes and livelihoods as before the fighting.
7. The meeting once again affirmed the joint commitment to refrain from threats or use of force, to settle disputes peacefully, and to respect international borders and international law. This is to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region based on mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national identity, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
8. The meeting called on Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate action to end all forms of fighting. It urged both countries to restore mutual trust and confidence, return to negotiations including through bilateral mechanisms and ASEAN Chair facilitation, resume humanitarian mine clearance cooperation, and implement joint military de-escalation along the border under ASEAN Assembly observation. It emphasized adherence to international law principles, peaceful coexistence, and multilateral cooperation to seek peaceful and sustainable solutions to the situation.
9. ASEAN Foreign Ministers welcomed discussions on resuming ceasefire talks and ending fighting. The General Border Committee (GBC) will meet on 24 December 2025 to discuss ceasefire implementation and monitoring. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed hope for the swift de-escalation of fighting.
10. ASEAN Foreign Ministers pledged to closely monitor the situation.