Dialogue offers path to peace

Mr Kao was speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with regional media in an interface session as part of the 10th Asean Media Forum in Manila, the Philippines.During this interactive session, Mr Kao outlined Asean's major milestones and key deliverables achieved under the Philippines' Chairship of Asean in 2026. He also underscored the region's collective efforts to advance Asean's priorities and address emerging challenges.During the session, Mr Kao was asked to comment on the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.Kao: Neighbours must engage"I think we have to make all efforts because what happened in 2025 had an impact on the people on both sides of the border, and people in both countries have been displaced," he said. "At the same time, the bottom line is that we still have a ceasefire, but the issue remains."Although challenges remain in implementing the ceasefire, he urged both sides to seize this opportunity to strengthen dialogue and diplomacy, stressing that continued engagement is essential to achieving lasting peace and stability."I hope, as the secretary-general of Asean, that both countries will continue to uphold the Asean spirit of solidarity and unity. Cambodia and Thailand are permanent neighbouring countries, and there remains ample space to intensify all diplomatic efforts," he said.He recalled sustained efforts to help resolve the conflict, including the Putrajaya Peace Accord reached in July 2025 during Malaysia's Asean chairship, supported by US President Donald Trump.An immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia was reached on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Mediated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during Malaysia's Asean chairship, the emergency talks successfully halted days of deadly border clashes.Mr Kao also noted the Special Asean Ministers' Meeting held Dec 22, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at which Thailand and Cambodia agreed that the military authorities of both sides would hold discussions on a ceasefire arrangement before the ceasefire agreement officially took effect on Dec 27, 2025.