Background
The International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of Preah Vihear (ICC-Preah Vihear) held its 11th plenary session on 19 March 2026. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, with coordination from the Chinese and Indian co-chairs. The plenary focused on responding to severe damage sustained by Preah Vihear Temple during two armed conflicts in 2025 and on the ongoing conservation and development of the Koh Ker temple complex.
Prior to the plenary, ICC-Preah Vihear ad hoc experts conducted a field mission on 16–17 March 2026 to inspect conservation and development work at Koh Ker and assess impacts at Preah Vihear Temple. Their technical findings and recommendations formed a key basis for discussion at the plenary meeting.
Scope of Application
The discussions and commitments adopted during the plenary relate to:
- Emergency rescue and safeguarding interventions at Preah Vihear Temple following conflict-related damage in 2025.
- Conservation, repair and data compilation activities at specific temple structures within the Koh Ker site.
- Coordination between the Royal Government of Cambodia, ICC-Preah Vihear member states and international experts on heritage protection for these World Heritage and major archaeological sites.
Key Provisions or Decisions
During the 11th plenary and the prior expert mission, the following key points were highlighted:
- Ad hoc experts inspected conservation and development work at Koh Ker and assessed damage at Preah Vihear Temple.
- For Koh Ker, experts recommended measures including:
- Arrangement of parking at Prasat Pram.
- Compilation of architectural documentation for the site.
- Arrangements to ensure the stability and safety of laterite and stone elements for future conservation and repair works.
- Conservation, repair and data compilation at Prasat Kok Krong and Prasat Ballangk Tbong.
- Repair of the western gopura of Prasat Krachap.
- Repair of the northern and southern entrance gates of Prasat Kraham.
- For Preah Vihear Temple, experts recommended urgent intervention at locations severely affected by shelling and considered high risk, from the Peuy Ta Di point to the Naga Bridge of the fifth gopura, and inspection of damage to the ticket-selling facility at the foot of the mountain.
- At the conclusion of the one-day plenary, the Chinese and Indian co-chairs, ICC-Preah Vihear member states and international experts affirmed their commitment to continue cooperating with the Royal Government of Cambodia in protecting and preserving the World Heritage site of Preah Vihear Temple for future generations.
- The two co-chairs expressed their intention to continue conservation engagement for Preah Vihear Temple through this consultative mechanism when circumstances return to normal.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The plenary outcomes reinforce international coordination around emergency rescue and conservation at Preah Vihear Temple and structured conservation and development works at Koh Ker. For tourism-related operators and heritage service providers in these areas, the recommended measures indicate a focus on site safety, infrastructure such as parking, and protection of key structures, which may influence future visitor management and site-use arrangements. Stakeholders involved in projects near these temple complexes should anticipate ongoing collaboration with heritage authorities and ICC-Preah Vihear partners to align activities with conservation priorities.
Official Source
The information is based on a public announcement by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts regarding the 11th plenary session of the ICC-Preah Vihear and the preceding ad hoc expert mission to Koh Ker and Preah Vihear Temple.
