The Governing Body is the highest organ of the Treaty as established in Article 19. Composed of representatives of all Contracting Parties, its basic function is to promote the full implementation of the Treaty, including the provision of policy guidance on the implementation of the Treaty.

The Governing Body holds regular sessions at least once every two years, scheduled, when possible, to coincide with the meetings of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The decisions are taken by consensus unless it is decided (by consensus) to employ another method to arrive at decisions on certain measures. Consensus is always required for amendments of the Treaty and its annexes.