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

Integrating developments in the field of education for the prevention and countering of violent extremism conducive to terrorism

Integrating developments in the field of education for the prevention and countering of violent extremism conducive to terrorism

22 October 2025

The GCTF launched the Addendum to the 2014 Abu Dhabi Memorandum for Good Practices on Education and Countering Violent Extremism.

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Advancing efforts around education for the prevention and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism

Advancing efforts around education for the prevention and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism

22 October 2025

The GCTF launched two practical accompaniments to the 2014 Abu Dhabi Memorandum for Good Practices on Education and Countering Violent Extremism.

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Fostering synergies to effectively counter improvised explosive devices in West Africa

Fostering synergies to effectively counter improvised explosive devices in West Africa

21 October 2025

Under the mandate of the Co-Chairs, Algeria and Germany, the West Africa Capacity-Building Working Group held a side event on the margins of the 25th Coordinating Committee Meeting to identify opportunities for collaboration to counter improvised explosive devices.

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Exploring new criminal justice issues in counterterrorism

Exploring new criminal justice issues in counterterrorism

21 October 2025

Under the mandate of the Co-Chairs, Italy and Nigeria, the Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group held its annual plenary meeting on the margins of the 25th Coordinating Committee Meeting to discuss recent activities and upcoming priorities, including the intersection of transitional justice and counterterrorism.

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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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