The aim of EKO is, to stimulate and promote all aspects of the budo karate of Sosai Masustatsu Oyama. To achieve this, EKO puts emphasis on creating a safe, transparent and inspiring environment for people of all ages, backgrounds and physical abilities, to practise (shin)kyokushin full contact karate.
Members of EKO are officially recognised national organizations, headed by democratically elected board members.
The board of EKO is every four years elected by the General Assembly, consisting of all member countries.