On 4 May, the  21^st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting was held in Cairo, Egypt. It was the first Coordinating Committee Meeting co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union. The event was opened by H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and H.E. Ambassador Charles Fries, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service. Over 150 senior counterterrorism and criminal justice officials and practitioners from more than thirty countries discussed future action to counter global terrorism threats. At the meeting, Co-Chairs presented their vision for the GCTF during their tenure (2023-2025). On the margins of the meeting, two successful side events were held. On 2 May the GCTF FTF and CVE working group leads held ‘Addressing the Challenges Related to the Reintegration and Rehabilitation of FTFs and their Associated Family Members’, and on 3 May, the GCTF Co-Chairs, with the support of the CCCPA and IIJ, held an in-person session on the evolving terrorist landscape on the African continent.

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The 21st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting has come to a successful close, where the Co-Chair's highlighted the Strategic Priorities for a more inclusive, action-oriented GCTF. One that is responsive to changing needs on the ground: an enhanced geographical focus on Africa, whilst not losing sight of the challenges elsewhere; outreach to a broad range of actors, including other international organizations and civil society; promoting women’s participation across the criminal justice chain and gender-sensitive policies. The Meeting also brought a change of Co-Chair to the forum from Morocco to Egypt where gratitude was expressed to Morocco and Egypt warmly welcomed. The Co-Chairs are bringing a refreshed outlook on the Forum's activities, and are confident in the direction of the Forum’s future, strengthened by the support of the GCTF Members and partners. 

 

 

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On 4 May 2023, Egypt and the European Union co-chaired the 21st Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Coordinating Committee Meeting, under the auspices of H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, in Cairo. Over 150 senior counterterrorism and criminal justice officials and practitioners from more than thirty countries discussed future action to counter global terrorism and violent extremism threats. At the meeting, Co-Chairs, Egypt, and the European Union, presented their vision for the strategic direction and objectives of the GCTF during their tenure (2023-2025). Central to this vision is a more action-oriented and responsive Forum, delivering value where it is most needed. Read more »

According to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index, terrorist attacks became more deadly in 2022, killing on average 1.7 people per attack in 2022, compared to 1.3 deaths per attack in 2021. While there has been an overall reduction in the impact of terrorism globally, the African continent continues to be home to violence. Despite considerable efforts, the relative gains achieved through militarized approaches have not managed to stop the spiral of terrorism and violence in the region. The GCTF Co-Chairs, Egypt and the European Union, with the support of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), organized an in-person side event prior to the 21^st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting to help bring forth real cases and challenges to the Forum, and work towards a sustainable, comprehensive approach to counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism.

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