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

Experts convene to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

Experts convene to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

4 June 2024

On 4 June, the Initiative Leads, Germany and Kenya, held an interactive virtual workshop with key experts and practitioners to discuss evidence on the nexus between climate fragility and vulnerability NS violent extremism conducive to terrorism. 

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Expert insights strengthen protection measures and security protocols for domestic legal and institutional frameworks.

Expert insights strengthen protection measures and security protocols for domestic legal and institutional frameworks.

22 and 23 May 2024

The GCTF Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group (CJ-RoL WG), co-chaired by Italy and Nigeria, with the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) as the Implementing Partner, organized an expert meeting to discuss existing good practices to protect witnesses and justice officials participating in terrorism cases’ proceedings. The one-day expert meeting was followed by the second Plenary Meeting of the Working Group under the auspices of its Co-Chairs. 

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The recently held Thematic Expert Workshop for the Education for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Initiative brings invaluable insights and innovation to the domain

The recently held Thematic Expert Workshop for the Education for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Initiative brings invaluable insights and innovation to the domain

25 April 2024

On 25 April, the GCTF Initiative on Education for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism, led by the European Union and Morocco, with Hedayah as Implementing Partner, held a Thematic Expert Workshop in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop enabled GCTF Members and experts to exchange insights, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to education as a valuable tool to prevent and counter violent extremism conducive to terrorism (P/CVE).

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Progress made on the Addendum of the 2016 GCTF Good Practices during border security and management workshop in Rome.

Progress made on the Addendum of the 2016 GCTF Good Practices during border security and management workshop in Rome.

16 and 17 April 2024

On 16 and 17 April, the GCTF Border Security and Management (BSM) Initiative Leads Jordan, the United States and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), convened the second BSM Initiative workshop in Rome, Italy, to continue to develop the 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 respect for human rights and the rule of law.

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Activities

Initiative on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism Context - Inaugural Meeting

Initiative on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism Context - Inaugural Meeting

8-9 December 2016

Launched at the GCTF Seventh Ministerial Plenary Meeting in New York on 21 September 2016, the STI aims to raise awareness, identify needs, and leverage expertise and experiences to better protect soft targets (locations that are relatively vulnerable to a terrorist attack due to their open access and limited security barriers) and to develop a set of internationally-recognized non-binding good practices, which can serve as the basis for international engagement, assistance, and training to enhance the security and resilience of sites that are potential soft targets.  

 

Some of the key themes of the meeting’s discussion included:
 

  • Identify what constitutes a ST and categorize and prioritize them in accordance with risk management;

  • Advocate for improved preparedness and training as means to promote vigilance, prevention, and protection;

  • Facilitate dialogue with the private sector to promote peer-to-peer cooperation and integration of safety and security measures.

 GCTF Insights

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