PHNOM PENH – Following the historic December 27 ceasefire agreement, the State Secretariat of Border Affairs (SSBA) has officially proposed an urgent high-level meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC).
Scheduled for the first week of January 2026 in Siem Reap, this special session aims to transform the current military truce into a lasting technical settlement of the 800-kilometer shared frontier.
The Roadmap to Resolution
The proposal follows the framework established during the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting held at the Pailin-Chanthaburi border crossing.
Key Objectives for the January 2026 Meeting:
- Technical Resumption: Resuming the survey and demarcation work that was suspended during the 2025 conflict.
- Boundary Pillar Restoration: Finalizing the replacement of pillars No. 42 to 47 (Chouk Chey-Nong Chan area) using advanced LiDAR technology.
- Land Occupation Mechanisms: Discussing the “adjustment of land occupation” for civilians returning to affected border zones.
- Safety Protocols: Ensuring the protection of Joint Survey Teams from landmines, as per the MOU 2000 and the newly signed 16-point de-escalation agreement.
A Critical Pivot from Conflict to Cooperation
The move to convene in Siem Reap is highly symbolic. As Cambodia and Thailand’s primary tourism gateway, the choice of venue signals a return to regional stability and economic normalcy.
“China’s active and constructive role in supporting the ceasefire plays a vital role in advancing a just and lasting peace.” — H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister.
While the GBC (General Border Committee) focused on the military withdrawal and prisoner exchanges, the JBC (Joint Boundary Commission) holds the legal mandate to finalize the actual border line, making this January meeting the most significant diplomatic event of the new year.
