The UN Systems Chief Executives Board was founded in 1946, at which time it was called the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC). It was established by the Secretary-General at the request of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to bring about more organization to the UN system due to all of the distinctive, specialized bodies that make up the United Nations, and so that the main body of the United Nations could specifically deal with issues of peace and security. Since all of the individual bodies have their own constitutions, mandates, governing bodies and budgets the Chief Executives Board brings them together into a common body that holds strong to the aims of the United Nations as a whole while not over burdening the main body. Over the years, since its inception, there have been many reforms and revisions of the coordination of the committee. In 2001 the ACC was renamed as the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination, which it is still called today. It is highest level board, and also the longest standing, in the United Nations.

The Chief Executives Board meets twice a year and is chaired by the UN Secretary-General. Present at the meetings are the Heads of 27 United Nations system organizations (which include 15 specialized agencies, 10 UN Funds and Programmes, the World Trade Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency). The Chief Executives Board is responsible for keeping up to date on the the current political issues and concerns that face the United Nations. Additionally, they approve policy statements on behalf of the system when the reporting bodies make recommendations to do so.

There are three committees that support the Chief Executives Board; the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) which deals with global policy and other items that face the world at large, the High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) which works to make businesses across the system work together, and the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) which works to promote country level efforts within the system. Additionally, UNESCO joins in on the discussions and consultations of the CEB when they have common interests. Such interests include administration and personnel questions, follow-up on past UN conferences, UN reform and the status of women in the UN system.

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