Comments by Amb. Pou Sothirak, Distinguished Senior Advisor to CCRS, were quoted by the South China Morning Post (SCMP):
Pou Sothirak, senior adviser to the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies, said the long delay towards ratification was due to “the lack of full understanding” in the “significant usefulness of Unclos”.
Cambodia saw the convention as lacking “sufficient strength” in environmental protection, climate change adaptation, marine biodiversity conservation and regulation of deep seabed mining, he said.
It was also seen as “relatively weak in addressing maritime security threats, resolving territorial disputes, and regulating emerging technologies”.
This view was compounded by the complex legal implications of Unclos’ call to resolve contentious overlapping maritime claims, given that such disputes with Thailand might become “eminent in the foreseeable future”, he added.
By ratifying Unclos, Cambodia had stated more clearly its adherence to the rule-based order and international law, Sothirak said, breaking the “dilemma” on whether to support Asean on Unclos or remain neutral.
“As a small state, Cambodia is vulnerable to external pressures from bigger and stronger neighbours,” he said.
“[It] can now rely on [Unclos] to protect its maritime sovereignty and interests against illegal intrusions by neighbouring states with shared maritime boundaries.”