The Steering Committee is the highest court in the institutional functioning of RIAL and it is currently chaired by former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.
It consists of political figures relevant to the international agenda of Latin America and the Caribbean, high officials of international organizations in the region, and academics specialized in the study of International Relations in Latin America and the Caribbean , each acting in their personal capacity . Its aim is to ensure compliance with the objectives that the Council states: to prepare proposals and recommendations to improve the ability to analyze and provide relevant inputs for discussion and implementation of foreign policy in the region.