Cambodia Makes Waves: Tiny Coastline, Huge Commitment to Ocean Protection
At the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice on June 9, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stood before the international community and announced his country’s signature on the High Seas Treaty. The move marked more than just a diplomatic milestone; it signaled Cambodia’s growing commitment to global environmental governance and positioned the country as an unlikely but important voice in the protection of marine biodiversity beyond its national waters.
The High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, is a landmark international accord designed to regulate the vast expanse of ocean that lies outside any single country’s control—covering nearly half the planet’s surface. With the goal of conserving marine biodiversity and ensuring sustainable use of ocean resources, the treaty introduces tools such as marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and equitable sharing of marine genetic resources.
Cambodia’s signature carries symbolic and strategic weight. With a relatively short coastline of just over 440 kilometers along the Gulf of Thailand, the Kingdom is not a traditional maritime power. Yet its decision to back the treaty places it firmly within the ranks of responsible global actors taking a proactive stance on one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: the health and governance of our oceans.
This is a calculated and commendable move.
For a country that is often associated more with its ancient temples than its marine ecosystems, Cambodia’s involvement in the High Seas Treaty sends a strong message that ocean conservation is not the exclusive domain of coastal giants. Rather, it is a shared responsibility—especially in an era when climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution, and deep-sea mining are threatening the very fabric of marine life. By becoming a signatory, Cambodia acknowledges that the effects of these threats are not confined by maritime borders, and that even smaller nations have a stake—and a role—in shaping the future of international waters.
Regionally, this decision has significant implications. Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems, yet it also grapples with mounting environmental pressures. Overfishing, habitat destruction, and marine pollution are pervasive across the region’s seas. While the High Seas Treaty does not govern the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Southeast Asian states, Cambodia’s endorsement of the treaty reinforces the idea of collective action and regional leadership on environmental matters. It could encourage other ASEAN nations to intensify their engagement with global conservation efforts and foster more cooperation on transboundary marine issues.
Moreover, this step aligns closely with Cambodia’s national sustainability goals. In recent years, the government has begun to incorporate environmental considerations into its development strategies, albeit gradually. The country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement include commitments to sustainable land and water management, as well as the protection of biodiversity. Signing the High Seas Treaty complements these pledges, suggesting an intent to align national policy with global sustainability frameworks.
It is also an opportunity for Cambodia to strengthen its international reputation. The Kingdom has often been scrutinized for environmental governance challenges, including illegal logging, unsustainable fishing practices, and lax enforcement of protected areas. By supporting a treaty that emphasizes transparency, science-based management, and equitable resource sharing, Cambodia is signaling its willingness to evolve into a more credible and responsible participant in global environmental diplomacy.
Of course, commitment on paper is only the beginning. Implementation will be the true test. The High Seas Treaty will require signatories to take concrete steps in areas such as data sharing, monitoring of marine activities, and enforcement of conservation zones. For Cambodia, this could mean investing in marine science, building institutional capacity, and collaborating with international partners to ensure compliance with treaty obligations. The country’s limited financial and technical resources present challenges, but they are not insurmountable, especially with support from the international community and regional mechanisms.
There are also significant opportunities here. By taking an active role in the treaty’s implementation, Cambodia can attract international funding and technical support for marine conservation. It can also deepen ties with organizations and countries leading the charge on ocean governance, positioning itself as a regional hub for sustainable maritime research and policy development. In the longer term, this can feed into broader economic goals, such as promoting sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism, and blue economy initiatives that benefit local communities and ecosystems alike.
The High Seas Treaty represents a turning point in global environmental diplomacy, offering the first international legal framework specifically designed to protect biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Cambodia’s decision to join this effort, while perhaps unexpected, should not be underestimated. It reflects a strategic understanding of the interconnected nature of environmental issues and the need for collective responsibility—regardless of a nation's size or maritime reach.
In a time when many developing nations are caught between urgent development needs and long-term sustainability goals, Cambodia’s signature on the treaty is an encouraging example of how environmental ambition and diplomatic engagement can go hand in hand. It shows that even countries with modest coastlines can make waves in global ocean stewardship.
If this commitment is followed through with genuine action, Cambodia has the potential not just to benefit from the treaty—but to help lead the way in its implementation.
James Borton is a non-resident senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Strategic Advanced International Studies Foreign Policy Institute and the author of Harvesting the Waves: How Blue Parks Shape Policy, Politics, and Peacebuilding in the South China Sea.