The ASEAN Chair hopes that Thailand and Cambodia will cease fire and abstain from further military operations, adhering to diplomatic and peaceful principles to maintain peace and stability in the ASEAN region.
At 12:40 p.m. on 22 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Mohamad Hassan, Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN Chair, opened a special ASEAN Ministers' meeting to discuss the Thailand-Cambodia situation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During the opening, he expressed deep regret over civilian losses and the prolonged conflict, which have significantly affected livelihoods and caused substantial internal displacement.
Since the fighting began in July, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has worked tirelessly to facilitate peaceful resolution through ongoing coordination with the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand. This led to a ceasefire agreement on 28 July and subsequent accords between the two countries, including the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement signed on 26 October by the Cambodian and Thai prime ministers, witnessed by Prime Minister Anwar and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The ASEAN Chair called on both parties to fully and effectively implement these agreements and peace accords. Throughout the coordination process, Prime Minister Anwar has also actively communicated with other ASEAN leaders to resolve the situation.
On 12 December, the ASEAN Chair conveyed Malaysia's concerns and urged both sides to exercise restraint, cease all hostilities, and refrain from further military actions, including the use or movement of armed units, effective from 13 December 2025 at 10:00 p.m. (UTC+7).
Mohamad Hassan also stated that yesterday, the Malaysian Prime Minister held discussions with the Cambodian and Thai prime ministers to explore the best ways to reduce tensions between the two countries. Prime Minister Anwar emphasized the importance for Cambodia and Thailand to uphold the spirit of dialogue, wisdom, and mutual respect to end tensions and maintain peace and security in the region.
Additionally, Malaysia’s Supreme Commander, through the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), has actively coordinated with negotiators from Cambodia and Thailand to monitor the situation on the ground, with AOT providing a briefing during this closed meeting.
Mohamad Hassan hopes this special meeting will invigorate ASEAN’s efforts to restore stability in the affected areas. ASEAN must take all necessary measures to maintain peace and stability in the region. The goal is not only to reduce tensions but also to build trust among conflicting parties and open opportunities for dialogue despite existing differences.
While not all answers to the conflict are clear, there is an equally powerful element: lessons from the past. Reflecting on the wisdom, unity, and trust that helped overcome previous crises will enable ASEAN to find a guiding compass for the future and realize that collective strength is ASEAN’s greatest asset.
The founders of ASEAN reaffirmed this vision in the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, a treaty that still reminds us of three enduring fundamental principles.
First, the importance of diplomacy. The “ASEAN Way” has proven to be ASEAN’s most powerful tool, founded on negotiation, consultation, and consensus.
Second, the power of unity. Time and again, ASEAN’s unity has protected it from external pressures and guided it through crises.
Third, the foundation of trust and resilience, built not only on trust in ASEAN institutions but also in one another as a family of nations.