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

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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Strengthening international judicial cooperation and evidence handling in terrorism cases

Strengthening international judicial cooperation and evidence handling in terrorism cases

16 October 2025

The East Africa Capacity-Building and Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Groups held an expert meeting to discuss existing initiatives and best practices for strengthening international judicial cooperation when countering terrorism.

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Enhancing the role of women in preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism in East Africa

Enhancing the role of women in preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism in East Africa

3 September 2025

Under the mandate of Kenya and Kuwait, the East Africa Capacity-Building Working Group led an activity to address the current gaps in P/CVE efforts in East Africa that stem from inadequate gender inclusion.

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First4Last

Activities

UN Counter-Terrorism Centre – GCTF Border Security Initiative - Second Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa

UN Counter-Terrorism Centre – GCTF Border Security Initiative - Second Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa

29-30 May 2016

The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss twelve draft good practices compiled as a result of previous meetings. 

Key themes of discussion included: 

  • While interagency cooperation is key for a successful border security and management (BSM) policy, governments should adopt tailored approaches on parameters to implement this cooperation. 
  • Lack of resources, threats to border communities emanating from FTFs, communities’ protection from terrorist groups and detachment of border communities in remote border areas from the wider community have been identified as key challenges in engagement with border communities and in the field of community border policing.
  • Governments might consider authorizing the local border agencies and liaison officers to interact with their counterparts on the other side of the border as a way of effective information exchange. 
  • Within the context of border surveillance, maritime borders need more attention.
  • Governments need to adopt a balanced approach while employing technology in the field of BSM.
  • Corruption and bribery have been identified as common risks which undermine overall efforts to devise and implement robust BSM policies.

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 GCTF Insights

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