ASEAN Chairperson Anwar Ibrahim has called on Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate the current military conflict and enter into negotiations, following clashes that erupted on Thursday morning, July 24, after weeks of rising tensions along the border.

According to Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, Anwar, who also serves as Malaysia’s Prime Minister, urged Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to “stand down” and seek a diplomatic resolution.

Speaking at the ASEAN Semiconductor Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar described the situation as “deeply concerning” and said he plans to speak directly with both leaders later in the day. “At the very least, we hope both parties can de-escalate the situation and make room for negotiations,” he said. “Attempts have been made, but I believe peace remains the only viable path.”

He noted the significance of both nations to the region, particularly given their proximity to Malaysia, and expressed optimism that constructive talks could still be pursued.

Anwar also mentioned plans to arrange further discussions with both leaders, adding that he had previously raised the matter with Cambodian officials and then-Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during bilateral meetings in June.

When asked whether the ongoing conflict might impact regional trade, Anwar declined to speculate, calling such concerns “premature.” “This is likely a temporary development. Both leaders are acting in the interest of their respective nations and are committed to a peaceful outcome. Both want ASEAN to remain actively engaged, and we will do exactly that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has appealed to the United Nations Security Council to urgently intervene to halt what he described as Thai military aggression, which began on Thursday morning. He reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful and lawful mechanisms for resolving the dispute, including engagement with the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In a letter sent to Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN and President of the Security Council for July 2025, Mr Hun Manet condemned Thailand’s actions, stating that they were in direct contradiction to regional and international appeals for restraint.

He cited Cambodia’s recent efforts to pursue dialogue, including the hosting of a Joint Boundary Commission meeting in Phnom Penh on June 14-15, as evidence of the country’s good faith in seeking peaceful solutions.

The Cambodian government has formally submitted four disputed border areas—Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Touch Temple, and Ta Krabey Temple—to the ICJ for adjudication. The current violence follows an earlier skirmish on May 28, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

Bernama reports that tensions between the two countries have steadily intensified in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s conflict.