ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Pakistan has assumed the chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, Vienna Chapter for 2008, with Ambassador Shahbaz accepting the instrument of office from Sudan in Vienna, Foreign Office said here on Friday.

This is the fourth time since the inception of the Vienna Chapter that Pakistan has assumed its chair.

Pakistan assumed the chair at a ceremony attended by over 30 member states of the Group based in Vienna.

The ambassadors and representatives paid rich tributes to the active contribution of Pakistan in its activities and expressed confidence in its ability to lead the Group during current year, the Foreign Office said.

The Vienna Chapter provides support services for the preparation of meetings for the Vienna-based UN organisations such as Unido, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Office at Vienna and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation.

The office serves as an institutional memory of the G-77 and China to members of the Group.

OUTGOING SAARC SG: Saarc Secretary General Chankyab Dorji, who is paying his farewell visit to Pakistan, called on caretaker Foreign Minister Inamul Haque and Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan separately in the Foreign Office on Friday.

Mr Haque stated that Saarc must establish itself as a credible regional organisation and evolve concrete and result-oriented programmes to reflect the aspirations of the people of the region.