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

Returning Families in MENA & the Mediterranean

Returning Families in MENA & the Mediterranean

22 June 2022

The return of family members of foreign terrorist fighters is an ongoing and increasingly salient issue. The GCTF FTF Working Group convened a regional workshop to look at integrating policy and practice related to returning families in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East.

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Reintegration & Resocialization: a Mother’s Story

Reintegration & Resocialization: a Mother’s Story

In Kosovo, GCERF, a GCTF Inspired Institution, supports returnees from conflicts abroad—and their families—to reintegrate into their communities. One mother of five shares her experience.

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CJ-ROL Working Group Fifth Plenary Meeting

CJ-ROL Working Group Fifth Plenary Meeting

9 June 2022

At its fifth Plenary Meeting, the GCTF Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group discussed supporting the development of effective criminal justice systems within a rule of law framework and with full respect for human rights in the counterterrorism field.

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UNODC: FTF Manual for MENA Judicial Training

UNODC: FTF Manual for MENA Judicial Training

The UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch developed an FTF Manual for criminal justice and crime prevention practitioners in the MENA region. Building on GCTF resources, it analyzes the FTF threat, related international frameworks and online investigations, and could be added to existing or new training curricula, courses and technical assistance programs.                        

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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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