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

Empowering Practitioners and Policymakers to Strengthen Oversight and Accountability of Human Rights in Counterterrorism

Empowering Practitioners and Policymakers to Strengthen Oversight and Accountability of Human Rights in Counterterrorism

26 and 27 February 2024

The EU-led Oversight and Accountability Initiative hosted a transregional meeting convening experts from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia to inform an anticipated set of GCTF non-binding, practical recommendations on compliance with human rights in a counterterrorism context.

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The Convening Power of the West Africa Working Group.

The Convening Power of the West Africa Working Group.

26 February 2024

The West Africa Working Group held a side event on the margins of the GCTF’s 23rd Coordinating Committee Meeting to take stock of its achievements over the last 5 years. Regional partners explored how the Working Group’s regional meetings, supported by tailored national capacity-building activities, have benefited practitioners locally in their fight against terrorism, and how needs-focused regional events could further contribute to strengthening regional inter-agency and cross-border cooperation.

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The first workshop kicks off the development of the Addendum to the 2016 GCTF Good Practices in the Area of Border Security and Management (BSM)

The first workshop kicks off the development of the Addendum to the 2016 GCTF Good Practices in the Area of Border Security and Management (BSM)

22 February 2024

On 22 February 2024, the GCTF Co-Leads the United States and Jordan, together with UNOCT, held their first workshop of the new BSM Initiative to create an Addendum to the  2016 GCTF Good Practices in the Area of Border Security and Management. The Initiative aims to promote an inclusive and collaborative approach towards border security, grounded in international human rights law.

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Marking the GCTF’s P/CVE efforts on the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism.

Marking the GCTF’s P/CVE efforts on the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism.

12 February 2024

A spotlight on GCTF efforts on preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) conducive to terrorism , on the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism.

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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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