Dr. Kao Kim Hourn is the 15th Secretary-General of ASEAN. Prior to assuming this position in January 2023, he served in various capacities in the Cambodian government, including two-term Minister Delegate to Cambodia’s Prime Minister (2013-2022) in charge of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN, and two-term Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2004-2013). He was ASEAN SOM Leader of Cambodia (2001-2012) and played a key role in crafting the ASEAN Charter, as Cambodia’s representative to the High Level Task Force (HLTF) on Drafting the ASEAN Charter. Over three decades, his career has focused on strengthening Cambodia’s international relations, particularly in ASEAN, driving policy advocacy and diplomacy, promoting education and research, having authored dozens of books and numerous articles on ASEAN and Cambodia. He is an institution-builder. Returning from his studies in the U.S. in January 1993, he ran a think tank (1993-2001) dedicated to ASEAN. In 2003, he founded The University of Cambodia, serving as the university president until October 2022. He received his BA in Asian Studies from Baylor University, two MAs (in Political Science and in International Studies) from Ohio University, and PhD in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa.

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