The GSK is responsible for co-ordinating and planning meetings and matters that the Nordic ministers for co-operation (MR-SAM) and the Nordic Committee for Co-operation (NSK) wish to raise. MR-SAM and NSK respond in turn to the ongoing co-ordination of formal political Nordic co-operation and co-ordination in central government.

The MR-SAM/NSK's and the GS's sphere of work is cross-sectoral which is also reflected the GSK's tasks. The Nordic Council of Ministers' (NCM) globalisation work, activities outside the region and in the EU, i.e. international co-ordination and profiling Nordic co-operation, are central work assignments in the GSK. The GSK is also responsible for the NCMS' co-operation with the Nordic Council (NC) and co-ordinates replying to the recommendations and questions which come from the NC.

The GSK has a key role in the GS's many duties as representative for the NCM, both in the Nordic countries and internationally, as well as in the management and implementation of the new structures of the NCMS. The GS and the two GSK directors participate with the heads of departments in the NCMS management group.