The governing body of the Institute is the IBE Council, composed of 12 representatives from Member States designated by UNESCO’s General Conference for a term of office lasting four years. The role of the Council is to approve the draft general programme and budget of the IBE for each biennium for submission to the General Conference as well as to ensure the consistency and complementarity of the activities foreseen with the Education Sector's strategy and programme.
The Council elects its Steering Committee, comprised of a President and 5 Vice-Presidents, who are nationals of the 6 UNESCO regional groups. The President of the Council presides over the Steering Committee. The Council renews its Steering Committee at its first session following the ordinary session of the General Conference at which the Council has been partially renewed. The members of the Steering Committee are eligible for re-election, provided the terms of office of the Member States which they represent, are renewed by the General Conference. However, they shall not hold office for more than 2 consecutive terms. The Steering Committee remains in office until the election of the new Steering Committee.
The Council meets in ordinary session at least once every year. It may meet in special session, if convened by the Director-General of UNESCO or at the request of a majority of its members.
