Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE) conducive to terrorism is rising. These threats are in the name of defending perceived threats to racial or ethnic identity, and target those that are viewed as “enemies” or are “to blame” for perceived grievances. To empower practitioners and policymakers currently implementing counter-REMVE strategies and policies, virtual tabletop exercises were held to support the use of the GCTF REMVE Toolkit. The exercises were part of the Awareness Raising and Operationalizing the GCTF REMVE Toolkit Initiative.

The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group hosted its sixth workshop under its Initiative on Funding and Enabling P/CVE initiatives at the Community Level, supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) as implementing partner. This session builds on the previous workshop, highlighting knowledge and best practice sharing in funding and enabling local P/CVE initiatives, while working towards the drafting of the framework document of recommendations.

On 4 May, the  21^st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting was held in Cairo, Egypt. It was the first Coordinating Committee Meeting co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union. The event was opened by H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and H.E. Ambassador Charles Fries, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service. Over 150 senior counterterrorism and criminal justice officials and practitioners from more than thirty countries discussed future action to counter global terrorism threats. At the meeting, Co-Chairs presented their vision for the GCTF during their tenure (2023-2025). On the margins of the meeting, two successful side events were held. On 2 May the GCTF FTF and CVE working group leads held ‘Addressing the Challenges Related to the Reintegration and Rehabilitation of FTFs and their Associated Family Members’, and on 3 May, the GCTF Co-Chairs, with the support of the CCCPA and IIJ, held an in-person session on the evolving terrorist landscape on the African continent.

The 21st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting has come to a successful close, where the Co-Chairs highlighted the Strategic Priorities for a more inclusive, action-oriented GCTF. One that is responsive to changing needs on the ground: an enhanced geographical focus on Africa, whilst not losing sight of the challenges elsewhere; outreach to a broad range of actors, including other international organizations and civil society; promoting women’s participation across the criminal justice chain and gender-sensitive policies. The Meeting also brought a change of Co-Chair to the forum from Morocco to Egypt where gratitude was expressed to Morocco and Egypt warmly welcomed. The Co-Chairs are bringing a refreshed outlook on the Forum's activities, and are confident in the direction of the Forum’s future, strengthened by the support of the GCTF Members and partners.