Revised programme of work for 1997

Abstract

The 1997 work programme forms part of the 1996-1997 biennial work programme of the Commission which was approved by the United Nations General Assembly. The impetus to revise the work programme for 1997 came from the reform and renewal of the Commission initiated in 1995. The process of reform has been marked by extensive consultations, beginning with the staff of the Commission's secretariat, then with high-level African experts and followed by the Commission's principal partners: representatives of United Nations agencies, bilateral donors and private international foundations. Finally, the Conference of African Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning, at the thirty-first annual session of the Commission in 1996, reviewed and endorsed the new programme orientation for the Commission as articulated in the document "Serving Africa better: Strategic directions for the Economic Commission for Africa".