The Council is the highest authority of the IOM. It meets in regular session once a year and in special sessions at the request of: one third of its members, the Director General or the Chairman of the Council in urgent circumstances.

The main functions of the Council, as set out in the provisions of the IOM Constitution, are to: determine, examine and review the policies, programmes and activities of the Organization; review the reports, approve and direct the activities of any subsidiary body;  review the reports, approve and direct the activities of the Director General; review and approve the programme, the Budget, the expenditure and the accounts of the Organization; and to take any other appropriate action to further the purposes of the Organization.