KAN Pharidh, Cambodia's permanent representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, presented his credentials Thursday to the Asean secretary general, Surin Pitsuwan, in a ceremony at the Asean secretariat.

"Ambassador Kan [has] many years of experience in Asean affairs. ... I look forward to working with him on building our Asean community,"  Surin said, according to a press release.

The permanent representatives of four member states - Singapore, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia - have now presented their credentials.

Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand are expected to follow soon, and Surin said he hopes the Committee of Permanent Representatives will be able to meet for the first time at the end of this month.