About the GCTF

The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) is an informal, apolitical, multilateral counterterrorism platform. It is small, nimble, inclusive, and consensus-based. Its overarching mission is to reduce the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism by mobilizing expertise and resources to prevent, combat, and prosecute terrorist acts and counter incitement and recruitment to terrorism. 

The Forum brings together policymakers and practitioners from around the world to share experiences and expertise, and to develop practical, publicly available tools and strategies on how to prevent and counter the evolving terrorist threat. The GCTF is currently co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union. 

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What is the GCTF?

News

Statement from the Co-Chairs - 22nd GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

Statement from the Co-Chairs - 22nd GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

18 September 2023

GCTF Members welcome new members Kenya and Kuwait, agree to reinvigorate the Forum, review its working methods and explore ways to further enhance GCTF resources and actions.  Read more »
The 22nd Coordinating Committee meeting on 18 September welcomed Kenya and Kuwait to the Forum, and focused on community and local action and leadership.

The 22nd Coordinating Committee meeting on 18 September welcomed Kenya and Kuwait to the Forum, and focused on community and local action and leadership.

18 September 2023

The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) held its bi-annual Coordinating Committee Meeting on 18 September 2023 in New York. The Forum welcomed two new members, Kenya and Kuwait, in the first-ever expansion of the Forum since its establishment in 2011. Frontline leaders from Iraq, Kenya and Morocco shared much needed insights on fostering resilience in local communities and in driving positive change. Members launched two pivotal documents strengthening national-local cooperation and promoting the work of local leaders and communities in counterterrorism and preventing and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE).

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UNOCT Expert Briefing on “The GCTF Antalya Memorandum on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism Context: Key Areas of Interest Six Years After its Adoption”

UNOCT Expert Briefing on “The GCTF Antalya Memorandum on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism Context: Key Areas of Interest Six Years After its Adoption”

05 September 2023

Since January 2023, over 40 terrorist attacks have happened against ‘soft’ targets impacting public and private facilities around the world, mostly in Africa and Asia. Building on the previous briefings, this expert briefing focused on assessing the adoption of the good practices of the GCTF Antalya Memorandum six years on. 

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Disrupt the Networks: Preventing and Countering the Acquisition and Use of Improvised Explosive Devices by Terrorist Groups in West Africa

Disrupt the Networks: Preventing and Countering the Acquisition and Use of Improvised Explosive Devices by Terrorist Groups in West Africa

20 - 22 June 2023

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have become a weapon of choice for terrorist groups in West Africa. They are simple to design, and their components remain cheap and easily accessible. The consequence is a steadily increasing number of IED attacks, harming innocent civilians. For regional governments, effectively responding to IED attacks is challenging due to their complex networks and illicit supply chains. To encourage dialogue and best practice sharing, a regional, three-day, in-person meeting, ‘Preventing and Countering the Acquisition and Use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by Terrorist Groups in West Africa’ was held, led by the West Africa Working Group Co-Chairs, Algeria, and Germany.

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Activities

Eighth GCTF Ministerial Plenary Meeting

Eighth GCTF Ministerial Plenary Meeting

20 September 2017

The Eighth GCTF Ministerial Plenary Meeting was co-chaired by Morocco and the Netherlands. Both countries announced a two-year extension of their co-chairmanship, and look forward to continue to lead the efforts of the GCTF in countering terrorism and violent extremism during their second mandate.  

In the GCTF Ministerial Statement adopted during this meeting the Ministers of the GCTF Members reaffirmed their commitment to the joint international fight against terrorism and violent extremism. In the Statement, the GCTF Members recognized the need for enhanced capacity-building and expressed their support to the GCTF-Inspired institutions. 

This year’s Ministerial Plenary Meeting endorsed new GCTF Framework Documents addressing the prevention and countering of violent extremism and terrorism online as well as the protection of soft targets in a counterterrorism context.  

In addressing the challenges of 21st century terrorism, the GCTF will embark on a set of new Initiatives concerning, inter alia, homegrown violent extremists, the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism, and the challenge to address returning families of foreign terrorist fighters. 

Documents to download

More links

 GCTF Insights

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