The APSC Council comprises members of ministerial rank as designated by the respective ASEAN Member States. In practice, almost all ASEAN Member States is represented by their respective Foreign Ministers, with the exception of Indonesia, which is collectively represented by its Foreign Minister and its Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs. Since its first meeting in 2009, the Council is hosted by the Member State holding the ASEAN Chairmanship to meet twice a year in conjunction with the ASEAN Summit.

The APSC Council is responsible for the overall implementation of the APSC Blueprint; coordinate efforts among all sectoral bodies under its purview, or on issues which cut across the other Community Councils. The APSC Council also submits reports or recommendations to the ASEAN Summit on matters under his purview. In general, the progress of implementation of the APSC Blueprint shall be reported annually by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to the annual ASEAN Summit, through the APSC Council.