2003/04 Annual Overview Report

This report provides a broad overview of developments in the interactions among the organizations of the United Nations system. The scope of the report was extended to cover not only activities during 2003, but also the first CEB session of 2004.

The commitment of the system towards the realization of the goals and targets of the United Nations Millennium Declaration has remained the guiding framework for the work of CEB and its subsidiary structures. The themes around which the CEB agenda was framed in the period under consideration were selected in this perspective, and included strategies for the follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the International Conference on Financing for Development; as well as curbing transnational crime; bridging the digital divide; HIV/AIDS and its linkages with food security and governance; system-wide support for Africa’s development and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development; and preventing armed conflict. The report outlines the main outcomes of CEB’s consideration of these issues.

In the management area, the report outlines main developments at the interagency level concerning the security and safety of staff and the strengthening of the United Nations security system; the establishment of the Senior Management Service; the reactivation of the Finance and Budget Network and the strengthening of common services.

In relation to both the programme and the management area, the report endeavours to present progress as well as outstanding issues with regard to strengthening inter-agency coordination, in response to intergovernmental directives.

The report is available in other UN official languages at the UN Official Documents System.