The principal governing organ of LAIA is the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. This body is composed of the ministers of foreign affairs of the 11 member countries unless an official other than the Foreign Minister is responsible for LAIA matters. The council meets annually to review activities and set policy. LAIA's Evaluation and Convergence Conference reviews activities, promotes new programs, makes recommendations to the secretariat, and reviews preferential arrangements. The political body of the LAIA is the Committee of Representatives that is made up of a permanent representative of each member country and the representative's deputy. The committee is responsible for concluding agreements, implementation of treaty provisions, and convenes the council and conference. The aforementioned secretariat is headed by a secretary-general who is elected by the council for a renewable three-year term and is responsible for most LAIA technical and administrative tasks.