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

GCTF Co-Chairs highlight the driving role of women in responding to terrorism and violent extremism

GCTF Co-Chairs highlight the driving role of women in responding to terrorism and violent extremism

19 September 2023

The GCTF Co-Chairs, Egypt and the European Union, held a side event on the margins of the 22nd Coordinating Committee and 13th Ministerial Meeting to underscore the extraordinary efforts of women in driving peace and innovation to counterterrorism and prevent and counter violent extremism. Read more »
Statement from the Co-Chairs - 22nd GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

Statement from the Co-Chairs - 22nd GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting

18 September 2023

GCTF Members welcome new members Kenya and Kuwait, agree to reinvigorate the Forum, review its working methods and explore ways to further enhance GCTF resources and actions.  Read more »
The 22nd Coordinating Committee meeting on 18 September welcomed Kenya and Kuwait to the Forum, and focused on community and local action and leadership

The 22nd Coordinating Committee meeting on 18 September welcomed Kenya and Kuwait to the Forum, and focused on community and local action and leadership

18 September 2023

The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) held its bi-annual Coordinating Committee Meeting on 18 September 2023 in New York. The Forum welcomed two new members, Kenya and Kuwait, in the first-ever expansion of the Forum since its establishment in 2011. Frontline leaders from Iraq, Kenya and Morocco shared much needed insights on fostering resilience in local communities and in driving positive change. Members launched two pivotal documents strengthening national-local cooperation and promoting the work of local leaders and communities in counterterrorism and preventing and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE).

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UNOCT Expert Briefing on “The GCTF Antalya Memorandum on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism Context: Key Areas of Interest Six Years After its Adoption”

UNOCT Expert Briefing on “The GCTF Antalya Memorandum on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism Context: Key Areas of Interest Six Years After its Adoption”

05 September 2023

Since January 2023, over 40 terrorist attacks have happened against ‘soft’ targets impacting public and private facilities around the world, mostly in Africa and Asia. Building on the previous briefings, this expert briefing focused on assessing the adoption of the good practices of the GCTF Antalya Memorandum six years on. 

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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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