In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 5 December 1951
- Birthplace
- Brunei
- Country
- Brunei
- Nationality
- Bruneian
- Known for
- Leading ASEAN from 2018 to 2022 through the COVID-19 pandemic and the signing of RCEP
- ASEAN office
- 14th Secretary-General
- Term
- 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2022
- Specialisation
- Trade and economic integration
- Nationality
- Bruneian
Why this life matters
Lim’s term joined long-running economic-integration work with crisis coordination during COVID-19 and the opening of ASEAN’s new Jakarta headquarters.
Timeline
Key moments
Entered public service
Began his career as an education officer in Brunei.
Joined ASEAN economic integration work
Served on the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration and later chaired it.
Permanent secretary
Became permanent secretary at Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Secretary-general of ASEAN
Led the Secretariat through a new headquarters, the RCEP signing and regional COVID-19 coordination.
Completed his ASEAN term
Received the Republic of Korea’s Gwanghwa Medal before leaving office.
From education to trade diplomacy
Lim Jock Hoi began in Brunei’s education service before moving into international relations and trade policy. He represented the country in ASEAN, APEC and ASEM processes and became permanent secretary at the foreign affairs and trade ministry.
He also worked on negotiations including the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership, ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area and Brunei–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. Economic integration was therefore central to his regional experience.
ASEAN through disruption
Lim took office as ASEAN’s 14th secretary-general in January 2018. The organisation inaugurated an expanded Secretariat building in Jakarta in 2019, intended to support a larger and more connected regional institution.
From 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted movement, trade and public health across the region. Lim’s term coincided with ASEAN recovery initiatives and the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, while member governments retained decision-making authority.
A term rooted in economic integration
Lim’s background made his appointment part of a longer ASEAN story: the shift from a small diplomatic secretariat toward a multi-pillar organisation coordinating extensive economic, political-security and social programmes.
He completed his term on 31 December 2022. His successor inherited both ASEAN’s long-term Community agenda and new strategic pressures created by the pandemic and a more contested regional environment.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Lim Jock Hoi
- Who is Lim Jock Hoi?
- Lim Jock Hoi is a 14th Secretary-General of ASEAN. Lim’s term joined long-running economic-integration work with crisis coordination during COVID-19 and the opening of ASEAN’s new Jakarta headquarters.
- What is Lim Jock Hoi best known for?
- Lim Jock Hoi is best known for leading ASEAN from 2018 to 2022 through the COVID-19 pandemic and the signing of RCEP.
- When and where was Lim Jock Hoi born?
- Lim Jock Hoi was born on 5 December 1951 in Brunei.
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.
