The Kingdom’s representative to the UN in Geneva has once again highlighted the plight of the almost 20,000 Cambodian civilians who remain displaced by last year’s border clashes with Thailand.
Ke Sovann, ambassador and permanent representative, addressed the General Debate of the 77th Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme (UNHCR).
Expressing his concerns about the growing scale and complexity of forced displacement worldwide, he noted that armed conflicts, violence, persecution, human-rights violations, disasters and the adverse effects of climate change continue to force millions of people from their homes.
He highlighted the plight of those displaced in his own country.
“Cambodia continues to experience the serious humanitarian consequences of conflict-induced displacement. At its height in December 2025, the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict displaced approximately 650,000 Cambodians, while homes, schools, health facilities, roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure, and religious and cultural sites suffered extensive damage,” he said.
“Although the ceasefire holds, more than 20,000 Cambodians are currently unable to return to their homes due to the continued occupation of areas of Cambodian territory by Thai armed forces and the obstruction of access to their homes and communities.
“The continued destruction of Cambodian homes and infrastructure in these areas further undermines prospects for their return. Such occupation and continued destruction of Cambodian properties constitutes a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” he added.
Sovann warned that those who remain displaced continue to face significant humanitarian challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, livelihoods and other essential services, although substantial relief assistance and support have been provided by the government and international partners.
He called for the urgent need for full implementation “in good faith and in their entirety” of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of October 26, 2025 and the Joint Statement of the Third Special General Border Committee Meeting of December 27, 2025.
“Cambodia reiterates its calls for Thailand to respond to our repeated requests to resume dialogue through existing mechanisms, to facilitate the safe and dignified return of the displaced Cambodians, and to avoid further destroying the Cambodian properties and infrastructure that are currently occupied by Thai armed force,” he said.
He encouraged the UNHCR to support efforts to address the humanitarian and protection needs of displaced Cambodians and contribute to durable solutions, including their safe and dignified return to their homes. He suggested that this should be done in accordance with relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and in close coordination with the Royal Government of Cambodia and relevant UN agencies.
Sovann called for the prevention of forced displacement and for all nations to fully respect the UN Charter and international law, as well as commit to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
“Commitments to peace and dialogue must be matched by concrete actions on the ground,” he added.
He commended the work the UNHCR has done for the protection of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless persons, while calling for more funding to support it.