The Member State responsible for the Chairmanship for the next year's Plenary Conference is agreed and appointed at the closing of each Plenary Conference. Member States willing to chair and host future Plenary Conferences should indicate this to the sitting Chairmanship at least two years before assuming the Chairmanship. The Chairmanship is rotating and lasts for the period of one Plenary Conference which is normally twelve months. Consideration should be given to European sea basin rotation and harmonising the chair with other Coast Guard forums' rotations in the selection of successive Chairmanships. A Member cannot take the Chairmanship of the Forum within the following seven-year period unless there is no other candidate member and upon approval of the Plenary Conference. The Chairmanship, in accordance with the conclusions of the Plenary Conference, writes an action plan that defines the priorities and the activities for the next year.

During the Plenary Conference which took place on the 28th of September 2023, Portugal has taken over the ECGFF Chairmanship from the Kingdom of Belgium.