• Politics

Kao Kim Hourn Takes up ASEAN Secretary-General Position

• By Torn Chanritheara
• January 9, 2023 6:00 PM

PHNOM PENH – Kao Kim Hourn has taken up the position of ASEAN Secretary-General for a five-year term, saying he is confident that the bloc can achieve its missions of peace, security and economic development if it stands united.

Kim Hourn becomes the first Cambodian national to ever get the ASEAN top job, succeeding Brunei’s Lim Jock Hoi.

The Secretary-General tenure is a single nonrenewable mandate.

While Kim Hourn’s term officially started on Jan. 1, 2023, the transfer of office ceremony was held on Jan. 9 at the ASEAN Secretariat in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also attended the event.

In his inaugural speech, Kim Hourn appreciated his predecessor for his numerous achievements in the past five years. He said he is now looking forward to carrying out his duty while pledging to work relentlessly in his new journey so that the bloc can overcome the many challenges it faces.

“I look forward to working closely with ASEAN member states, the CPR [Committee of Permanent Representatives, which comprises ASEAN’s ambassadors based in Jakarta], development partners, sectoral dialogue partners and all external friends and partners, in achieving ASEAN Community building 2025,” he said.

“I’m confident that if we stand united and collectively look after one another through the spirit of amity and cooperation, there’s nothing that ASEAN can’t achieve.”

Previously, Kim Hourn was Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and was advising Hun Sen on foreign and ASEAN affairs.

He thus served as a spokesperson during Hun Sen’s trips abroad.

He has also been the Executive Director of the Cambodian Institute of Cooperation and Peace and is still a member of its board.

He also established the University of Cambodia in 2003, which he still presides today.