In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 28 May 1966
- Birthplace
- Cambodia
- Country
- Cambodia
- Nationality
- Cambodian
- Known for
- Serving as ASEAN’s secretary-general from 2023 during work on the post-2025 regional agenda
- ASEAN office
- 15th Secretary-General
- Term
- 2023–2027
- Academic institution
- Founder, University of Cambodia
- Policy framework
- Six Ps priorities
Why this life matters
Kao is the first Cambodian to lead the ASEAN Secretariat, after decades working on his country’s foreign policy, ASEAN diplomacy and higher education.
Timeline
Key moments
Led a Cambodian policy institute
Worked on peace, cooperation and development research after returning to Cambodia.
Founded the University of Cambodia
Established the university and later served as its president until 2022.
Secretary of state for foreign affairs
Held a senior diplomatic post and represented Cambodia in ASEAN processes.
Minister delegate to the prime minister
Advised Cambodia’s government before his ASEAN appointment.
Became ASEAN secretary-general
Took office in January as the first Cambodian to hold the post.
Scholarship and institution-building
Kao Kim Hourn studied in the United States, earning degrees at Baylor University, Ohio University and the University of Hawaii. After returning to Cambodia, he led policy research and created the University of Cambodia in 2003.
His academic and think-tank work developed alongside Cambodia’s reconstruction and deeper participation in regional institutions. He served as the university’s president until October 2022.
Cambodia’s ASEAN diplomat
Kao held senior positions in Cambodia’s foreign ministry and government. He led the country’s ASEAN senior-official work and represented Cambodia on the high-level task force that drafted the ASEAN Charter.
He later served as secretary of state for foreign affairs and as minister delegate attached to the prime minister. These roles placed him at the intersection of Cambodian policy and ASEAN negotiations for more than two decades.
The 15th secretary-general
Kao began his five-year term in January 2023. He organised his priorities around six themes—peace, prosperity, planet, people, partnerships and potentials—while supporting member states’ work on the post-2025 ASEAN agenda.
The secretary-general facilitates and monitors decisions but does not replace the authority of ASEAN governments. Kao’s term therefore illustrates both the growing workload of the Secretariat and the limits built into ASEAN’s intergovernmental design.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Kao Kim Hourn
- Who is Kao Kim Hourn?
- Kao Kim Hourn is a 15th Secretary-General of ASEAN. Kao is the first Cambodian to lead the ASEAN Secretariat, after decades working on his country’s foreign policy, ASEAN diplomacy and higher education.
- What is Kao Kim Hourn best known for?
- Kao Kim Hourn is best known for serving as ASEAN’s secretary-general from 2023 during work on the post-2025 regional agenda.
- When and where was Kao Kim Hourn born?
- Kao Kim Hourn was born on 28 May 1966 in Cambodia.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 9 September 2026.
