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

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

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

29-30 May 2016

The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss twelve draft good practices compiled as a result of previous meetings. 

Key themes of discussion included: 

  • While interagency cooperation is key for a successful border security and management (BSM) policy, governments should adopt tailored approaches on parameters to implement this cooperation. 
  • Lack of resources, threats to border communities emanating from FTFs, communities’ protection from terrorist groups and detachment of border communities in remote border areas from the wider community have been identified as key challenges in engagement with border communities and in the field of community border policing.
  • Governments might consider authorizing the local border agencies and liaison officers to interact with their counterparts on the other side of the border as a way of effective information exchange. 
  • Within the context of border surveillance, maritime borders need more attention.
  • Governments need to adopt a balanced approach while employing technology in the field of BSM.

  • Corruption and bribery have been identified as common risks which undermine overall efforts to devise and implement robust BSM policies.

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