The decision-making body for the application and re-evaluation of new Global Geoparks is responsible for making recommendations to the Director-General of UNESCO on the strategic planning and implementation of Global Geopark activities.

The Council consists of twelve permanent members, who have the right to vote and are individuals appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO on the recommendation of the Global Geoparks Network and Member States. In addition, the Director-General of UNESCO, the President of the Global Geoparks Network, the Secretary-General of the International Union of Geological Sciences, the Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature or their representatives are ex temporo members of the Council, but they have no voting rights.

Since 2015, through the organization and recommendation of the Chinese government, two Chinese scientists have been appointed as council members by the Director-General of UNESCO successively. Professor Zhang Jianping, a current council member, was recommended by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to join the council in 2018 and was elected as the vice chairperson of the council.