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

Strengthening National and Regional Cooperation in the Security and Justice Sectors to Counter Terrorism in West Africa

Strengthening National and Regional Cooperation in the Security and Justice Sectors to Counter Terrorism in West Africa

28 - 30 March 2023

Terrorist groups’ activities transcends national borders. The transnational nature of the terrorist threat requires strong interagency cooperation, regionally and nationally, to prevent and counter terrorism. The GCTF West Africa Working Group Co-Chairs, Algeria, and Germany, organized the “Strengthening National and Regional Cooperation in the Security and Justice Sectors to Counter Terrorism in West Africa” regional meeting to discuss ways to strengthen national and regional cooperation in the security and justice sectors to prevent and counter terrorism in the West African region.

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Gender and Identity Factors Platform for Countering Violent Extremism and Counterterrorism – 2nd GCTF Consultations

Gender and Identity Factors Platform for Countering Violent Extremism and Counterterrorism – 2nd GCTF Consultations

15 and 16 March 2023

During the recent GCTF consultation for the UNOCT Gender and Identity Factors Platform, supported and co-led by Global Affairs Canada, a deep dive was done into understanding the relationship of gender and identity factors in P/CVE efforts. These two consultations aimed to improve the platform and build upon the close cooperation and mutually reinforcing partnership between the GCTF and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact. 

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The GCTF Initiative to Operationalize the Berlin Memorandum.

The GCTF Initiative to Operationalize the Berlin Memorandum.

7 March 2023

The impact of the rapid evolution and proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are far-reaching. The launch event of the Initiative, “Operationalize the Berlin Memorandum”, led by the United Kingdom and United States, will help bring to life the twenty-six recommendations within the Berlin Memorandum.

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UNOCT Briefing to GCTF Members on the Protection of Vulnerable Targets, the Antalya Memorandum and Possible Avenues of Cooperation

UNOCT Briefing to GCTF Members on the Protection of Vulnerable Targets, the Antalya Memorandum and Possible Avenues of Cooperation

28 February 2023

Critical infrastructures across the world are becoming more vulnerable to terrorist attacks impacting public and private facilities such as transportation and energy, as well as schools and marketplaces. To discuss this threat in more detail, we partnered with the UNOCT to deliver a joint ‘Briefing for GCTF Member States on the Protection of Vulnerable Targets, the Antalya Memorandum and Possible Avenues of Cooperation’.

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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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