ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has assumed the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) and China Group of Developing Countries in Geneva for 2018.

Ambassador James Alex Msekela of Tanzania relinquished the chair to Ambassador Farukh Amil in the presence of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) secretary general Mukhisa Kituyi and other UN officials.

Speaking on the occasion, delegates said that unity in the face of threats to the multilateral system upheld by the UN was more important than ever.

At the ceremony hosted by UNCTAD at the United Nations office in Geneva on Thursday, Ambassador Amil urged the reinvigoration of the G77 and China; and for the UNCTAD to address contemporary challenges. He encouraged developing countries to adapt to and focus on emerging technologies which have far-reaching implications on economic and social development.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2018