The GEF Council is the main governing body of the GEF. It functions as an independent board of directors, with primary responsibility for developing, adopting, and evaluating GEF programs. Council members representing 32 constituencies (16 from developing countries, 14 from developed countries, and two from countries with transitional economies) meet twice each year for three days and also conduct business by mail. All decisions are by consensus.

The Council's open door policy toward non-governmental organizations and representatives of civil society makes it unique among international financial institutions.

• List of  GEF Constituencies, Council Members & Alternates

• Council Meetings

• Rules of Procedure for the GEF Council, October 2007