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

Ministers engage in a discussion on rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorists at the Thirteenth Ministerial Plenary Meeting

Ministers engage in a discussion on rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorists at the Thirteenth Ministerial Plenary Meeting

20 September 2023

At the Thirteenth Ministerial Plenary Meeting, Ministers and high-level officials shared experiences and best practice on the rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorists and violent extremists, providing a steer to the broader work of the GCTF and its Inspired Institutions.

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PRESS RELEASE: Kenya and Kuwait join the Global Counterterrorism Forum, strengthening multilateral security and counterterrorism efforts

PRESS RELEASE: Kenya and Kuwait join the Global Counterterrorism Forum, strengthening multilateral security and counterterrorism efforts

20 September 2023

20 SEPTEMBER 2023, NEW YORK | The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) – a platform for multilateral engagement to prevent and counter terrorism – held its twice yearly Coordinating Committee and annual Ministerial meetings on 18 and 20 September. The Forum’s Co-Chairs, Egypt, and the European Union, welcomed Kenya and Kuwait as new GCTF members. This first ever expansion of the Forum reflects the commitment to increasing multilateral cooperation and strengthening regional counterterrorism efforts in Africa and the Middle East. Ministers exchanged views on national experiences on the rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorists. Over the course of the three days, over 150 Ministers, senior counterterrorism and criminal justice officials, and practitioners from more than thirty countries and civil society came together to discuss the current global terrorism threats and responses. Read more »
Launching the BSM Initiative at the side event held on the margins of the 22nd Coordinating Committee Meeting & 13th Ministerial Meeting, together with UNOCT

Launching the BSM Initiative at the side event held on the margins of the 22nd Coordinating Committee Meeting & 13th Ministerial Meeting, together with UNOCT

19 September 2023

The dynamic and complex nature of known or suspected terrorist flows across land, air, and maritime boundaries requires a more comprehensive and holistic approach involving many stakeholders. The GCTF FTF Working Group (Jordan and the United States), together with UNOCT launched the BSM initiative on the margins of the 22nd Coordinating Committee Meeting & 13th Ministerial Meeting in New York.

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Launching the NLC Toolkit and the Framework Document on Recommendations for Funding and Enabling Community-level P/CVE

Launching the NLC Toolkit and the Framework Document on Recommendations for Funding and Enabling Community-level P/CVE

19 September 2023

There is a growing concern of increased polarization in our societies and its connection to violent extremism. To tackle this phenomenon, useful tools and guidance were developed to support capacity building and stronger cooperation at the national and local levels through two initiatives led by the GCTF CVE Working Groups Co-Chairs, Australia and Indonesia. They were presented and endorsed by the GCTF Members during the 22nd GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting (18 September) and the 13th  Ministerial Plenary Meeting (20 September).

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Activities

Horn of Africa Capacity Building Working Group - Plenary Meeting

Horn of Africa Capacity Building Working Group - Plenary Meeting

2 June 2016

The meeting, Co-Chaired by Turkey and the European Union, brought together 70 representatives from GCTF Members, non-members such as Norway and Israel, HOA countries including Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen, United Nations bodies, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the three GCTF-inspired institutions GCERF, Hedayah and IIJ.

Participants discussed the current state of counterterrorism (CT) and countering violent extremism (CVE) initiatives in the region and exchanged views on preventing violent extremism (PVE) and CVE initiatives, taking into account the UN Plan of Action on PVE that the UN briefly presented.

Key themes of the discussion included:

  • Terrorism threat faced by the region.
  • The continued need for coordination of CVE and CT activities and capacity-building programs.
  • Further linking of the GCTF initiatives with the HOA region.
Tags: International Institute for Justice and the Rule o Horn of Africa HOA Initiative to Address the Life Cycle of Radicaliza International Counterterrorism and CVE Capacity-Bu ICCM Hedayah Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund GCTF inspired institutions Work Plan

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Seventh GCTF Ministerial Plenary Meeting

Seventh GCTF Ministerial Plenary Meeting

NEW YORK - United States - 2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). On 21 September 2016, the Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco, Mr Nasser Bourita, and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Bert Koenders, co-chaired the Seventh Ministerial Plenary Meeting of the GCTF in New York. The Ministerial Plenary Meeting showcased the action-oriented and strategic nature of the GCTF and provided an opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved since the launch of the Forum, five years ago.

Countering Violent Extremism Working Group - The Role of Family is Critical in Preventing Violent Extremism

Countering Violent Extremism Working Group - The Role of Family is Critical in Preventing Violent Extremism

ABU DHABI - United Arab Emirates – On 23-25 May 2016, under the auspices of the GCTF’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group, Hedayah, the International Center of Excellence for CVE, hosted a workshop on the P/CVE roles of families. 

Ninth GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

Ninth GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

THE HAGUE - the Netherlands - The GCTF Coordinating Committee convened for its ninth meeting on 12-13 April 2016. Member States and representatives of the GCTF partner organizations reviewed the Forum’s strategic priorities, considered the ongoing and planned initiatives, and reviewed activities since the previous Coordinating Committee Meeting in New York, held on 25 September 2015.

UN Counter-Terrorism Centre – GCTF Border Security Initiative Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa

UN Counter-Terrorism Centre – GCTF Border Security Initiative Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Under the auspices of the joint United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) – GCTF Border Security Initiative (BSI), the Government of Kenya hosted the first Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa (HOA), on 3-4 December 2015, in Nairobi.

Eighth GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

Eighth GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

NEW YORK - United States - On 26 September 2015, the GCTF Coordinating Committee convened in New York for its eighth meeting. Members reviewed the Forum’s strategic priorities, considered ongoing and planned initiatives, and reviewed activities since the previous GCTF Coordinating Committee meeting held on 6-7 May 2015 in Doha, Qatar.

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