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. 

Read more »

What is the GCTF?

News

Consolidating efforts to prevent and counter terrorist use of improvised explosive devices in West Africa

Consolidating efforts to prevent and counter terrorist use of improvised explosive devices in West Africa

8 May 2025

Under the mandate of the Co-Chairs, Algeria and Germany, the West Africa Capacity-Building Working Group held an in-person regional meeting to discuss strengthening collaborative efforts to prevent and counter the acquisition and use of IEDs by terrorist groups in the region.

Read more »
Understanding the risks of climate change’s relationship with violent extremism conducive to terrorism and building solutions

Understanding the risks of climate change’s relationship with violent extremism conducive to terrorism and building solutions

15 April 2025

Led by Germany and Kenya, the Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism conducive to terrorism held a virtual workshop exploring solutions and recommendations to consider when addressing the links between climate change and insecurity.

Read more »
Examining current evidence and approaches to the relationship between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism

Examining current evidence and approaches to the relationship between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism

4 March 2025

Led by Germany and Kenya, the Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism conducive to terrorism held a virtual workshop exploring the links between climate change and insecurity, with a focus on the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

Read more »
Responding to the challenges emerging from the intersection of violent extremism conducive to terrorism and climate fragility

Responding to the challenges emerging from the intersection of violent extremism conducive to terrorism and climate fragility

28 January 2025

Led by Germany and Kenya, the Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism conducive to terrorism held a virtual workshop exploring the links between climate change and insecurity, with a focus on violent extremism conducive to terrorism in Southeast Asia and West Africa.  

Read more »
First5Last

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

Stay informed by following us on our social media channels or sign up to our newsletter.