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

From Syria to Tunisia: Aziz Returns Home

From Syria to Tunisia: Aziz Returns Home

As Aziz* returns home from Syria, he tries to cope with his father’s death and his mother’s imprisonment. Hedayah, a GCTF Inspired Institution, works with the Tunisian government to support children like Aziz in managing the trauma of exposure to violent extremism and safely reintegrating children back into society.

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Countering the Financing of Terrorism in West Africa

Countering the Financing of Terrorism in West Africa

6-7 July 2021

The GCTF Capacity-Building in the West Africa Region Working Group convened a virtual workshop on countering the financing of terrorism. The workshop provided an opportunity for regional actors to share lessons learned, good practices, and results achieved.

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Empowering the next generation in the Philippines

Empowering the next generation in the Philippines

In Lanao del Sur, GCERF, a GCTF Inspired Institution, supports a series of initiatives promoting active citizenry and personal leadership, enhancing the understanding of Bangsamoro identity and addressing historical grievances and discrimination, which have been drivers of radicalization. Mira’s story shows GCERF’s role in instilling optimism and a sense of purpose and identity among youth.
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GCTF Exploratory Dialogues on REMVE

GCTF Exploratory Dialogues on REMVE

21 and 29 April 2021

The GCTF convened two exploratory dialogues on Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE). These discussions advanced a common understanding of this threat among the Forum’s members, including through exploring differences in terminology, and considering how existing GCTF resources can contribute to efforts to counter this driver of instability. 

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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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