CERN Council

The CERN Council determines the Organization’s policy in scientific, technical and administrative matters, defines its strategic programmes, sets and follows up its annual goals, and approves its budget. The Council also appoints the Director-General who is the Organization’s chief executive officer and legal representative. The Council typically meets four times a year, under the chairmanship of the President, with the Director-General acting as Secretary.

The Scientific Policy Committee (SPC) and the Finance Committee (FC) are the two main advisory bodies of the Council and meet in the days leading up to the Council Session. The Tripartite Employment Conditions Forum (TREF) prepares the Council’s decisions relating to the conditions applicable to the CERN personnel and comprises representatives of the CERN Staff Association, of the CERN Management and of the Member States. The Audit Committee (AC) comprises Council and Finance Committee representatives and distinguished external experts, and provides oversight of the Organisation’s governance, risk management and internal control arrangements. Finally, the Council is assisted by the Pension Fund Governing Board to which it has entrusted the oversight of CERN’s Pension Fund.