As detailed in the CEB’s annual overview report (E/2002/55), in 2001 Executive Heads continued their reflection on globalization and its interrelated dimensions, noting the need to redress its negative aspects, particularly as regards poverty, hunger, health, education, employment, the environment, and the links between migration and problems posed by refugees and internally displaced persons.

The main focus of the CEB agenda during 2001 was to ensure a systematic and effective follow-up to the United Nations Millennium Declaration and, in particular, a concerted system-wide response to the achievement of the millennium development goals. To this end, CEB addressed the follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit through a two-pronged strategy, namely, resource mobilization for attaining the millennium development goals at the national, regional and global levels, and its monitoring and review processes. CEB reiterated that the millennium development goals are primarily commitments by Governments and, in that regard, the supportive role of the United Nations system is crucial at the national, regional and international levels.

A great deal of attention was also devoted by CEB to strengthening system-wide support for the sustainable development of Africa through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), an Africa-owned and Africa-led initiative. It agreed that NEPAD provided the framework for United Nations system interventions in support of Africa’s development, and decided to fully support the vision of African leaders to take charge of their own development.

2001 marked the successful transition of CEB and its subsidiary structure from a hierarchical and rigid system of inter-agency committees to “networks” of specialists from different areas who interact with one another with the help of modern information technology, and ad hoc inter-agency groups that are time-bound and task-oriented under lead agency arrangements, as well as a consolidated CEB secretariat.