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

Employing strategic communications to prevent and counter violent extremism conducive to terrorism in East Africa

Employing strategic communications to prevent and counter violent extremism conducive to terrorism in East Africa

28 January 2026

Under the mandate of Kenya and Kuwait, the East Africa Capacity-Building Working Group led an activity to strengthen strategic communications for online P/CVE efforts in the region.

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Aligning efforts to enhance oversight and accountability mechanisms in counterterrorism operations

Aligning efforts to enhance oversight and accountability mechanisms in counterterrorism operations

11 December 2025

The GCTF Oversight and Accountability in Counterterrorism Initiative officially launched the Brussels Memorandum on Good Practices for Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms in Counterterrorism. Read more »
Promoting education as a key pillar in preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism

Promoting education as a key pillar in preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism

4 December 2025

Led by the European Union and Morocco, the Initiative on Education for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism held a conference to mark its conclusion and present resources, findings, and lessons learned.

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Strengthening local capacities and community engagement to resist violent extremism conducive to terrorism in West Africa

Strengthening local capacities and community engagement to resist violent extremism conducive to terrorism in West Africa

20 November 2025

The West Africa Capacity-Building Working Group organized a regional meeting to promote community engagement efforts to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism 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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