The aims of AES are to encourage co-operation of Icelandic youth organizations, to represent these youth organizations abroad, to work in accordance with the Human Rights Charter of the United Nations, to have friendly relations with youth organizations all over the world, and to work for international causes of young people. WAY advises the United Nations on youth affairs. The main task of the Council is to arrange informative and co-ordinating conferences and meetings.
Task groups work on different topics.
Before a youth organization becomes a member of AES , it has to be a nationwide organization with over 100 members, and the majority of the members must be under 35 years of age.