22 October 2025
The GCTF Coordinating Committee, co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union (EU), held its 25th meeting. Members and partners gathered in Doha, Qatar, and reiterated their commitment to combatting terrorism in Africa and to tackling new threats through the GCTF. The Forum also launched new GCTF resources on education for the prevention of violent extremism conducive to terrorism; preventing and countering the acquisition and use of improvised explosive devices in West Africa; and the protection of witnesses and criminal justice officials.
Combating terrorism in Africa
With the threat of terrorism across the African continent on the rise, the Coordinating Committee reiterated its commitment to supporting civilian-led counterterrorism efforts on the continent. Building on the discussion from the 14th GCTF Ministerial Plenary held in New York City in September 2024, the Forum identified tangible, holistic, and collaborative approaches to tackle new and existing threats on the continent. Key priorities included countering improvised explosive devices; countering the financing of terrorism; and disengagement, deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former terrorists. GCTF Members, the three Inspired Institutions, and the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Coordination Compact will work to support and reinforce efforts to build African partners’ capacity in these areas.
New GCTF Resources Launched
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Toolkit and Training-of-Trainers Manual on Education for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism by presented by the EU, Morocco, and the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism & Violent Extremism (Hedayah) to serve as practical accompaniments to the GCTF’s Abu Dhabi Memorandum for Good Practices on Education and Countering Violent Extremism. These tools were informed by the Initiative’s Research Brief which identifies new and emerging lessons, needs, and challenges in the education and P/CVE space. Learn more about these resources here.
The Addendum to the Abu Dhabi Memorandum on Good Practices for Education and Countering Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism was also presented by the EU, Morocco, and Hedayah. It integrates the good practices and recommendations that emerged from discussions following the launch of the original Framework Document with new evidence and lessons learned. Read more about the Framework Document here.
The Lomé Recommendations on Preventing and Countering the Acquisition and Use of Improvised Explosive Devices by Terrorist Groups in West Africa was presented by Algeria, Germany, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The set of good practices provides legal authorities with actionable measures related to strengthening the response to the threat posed by the acquisition and use of Improvised Explosive Devices by terrorist groups in West Africa. Read more about the Framework Document here.
The Protection of Witnesses and Criminal Justice Officials Toolkit was presented by Italy, Nigeria, and the International Institute of Justice and the Rule of Law. It provides standards, information, examples, and resources related to enhancing victims’, witnesses’, and criminal justice practitioners’ protection during trials to better support the delivery of justice for crimes of terrorism. Learn more about the toolkit here.
*GCTF Recommendations, Memoranda, Good Practices and other guiding documents are non-binding, and their implementation should always respect national sovereignty and consider countries' varied histories, cultures, legal systems, and norms.