The Colombo Plan Secretariat participates in an advisory capacity at the Consultative Committee meetings and assists the Council in the discharge of its functions. It also services committees of the Council and provides administrative support to the programmes of the Colombo Plan.

The functions of the Secretariat are as follows:

1. To assist the Council in the discharge of its functions and responsibilities; and
2. To implement programmes and to disseminate information as directed by the Council.