25th Global Counterterrorism Forum Coordinating Committee Meeting focuses on key commitments in Africa, launches new resources
DOHA, 22 October 2025 – The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), a platform for multilateral engagement to prevent and counter terrorism, held its 25th Coordinating Committee in Doha, co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union (EU). Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, the meeting brought together more than 80 senior counterterrorism representatives and international stakeholders from around the world. On the agenda was the GCTF’s commitments to countering terrorism in Africa through civilian-led efforts as a core area of focus under the Egypt-EU mandate. Additionally, the meeting witnessed the launch of new practical resources related to 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.
Advancing counterterrorism commitments in Africa
Building on the renewed commitment by Ministers at the 14th GCTF Ministerial Plenary, the Coordinating Committee reaffirmed its focus on advancing holistic and sustainable counterterrorism efforts in Africa. With over a decade of experience, the GCTF continues to play a vital role in identifying emerging threats and developing context-specific good practices, while emphasizing inclusive, civilian-led approaches. The GCTF East and West Africa Capacity-Building Working Groups outlined key priorities, including countering the financing of terrorism—an increasingly urgent concern for States and the international community—and advancing prevention and countering of violent extremism conducive to terrorism, including through strategic communications, disengagement, deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The meeting served as a coordination platform to align Member and partner efforts around these critical areas of work.
Practical guidance tools on education for P/CVE
The Coordinating Committee launched several new resources developed to strengthen global counterterrorism efforts. The Initiative on Education for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism—led by the EU and Morocco with the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism & Violent Extremism (Hedayah) as implementing partner—presented practical tools and accompaniments to facilitate the operationalization of the GCTF Abu Dhabi Memorandum for Good Practices on Education and Countering Violent Extremism. This includes a toolkit on monitoring, evaluation, and learning, as well as a detailed “training-of-trainers” manual intended for trainers to implement these good practices productively.
The Initiative also presented the Addendum to the Abu Dhabi Memorandum on Good Practices for Education and Countering Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism. The Framework Document takes account of and synthesizes new evidence and lessons learned since the launch of the original Framework Document with updated good practices and recommendations.
Bolstering efforts against the use of Improvised Explosive Devices in West Africa
The Lomé Recommendations on Preventing and Countering the Acquisition and Use of Improvised Explosive Devices by Terrorist Groups in West Africa was presented by the West Africa Capacity-Building Working Group – co-chaired by Algeria and Germany, and supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. National authorities can refer to these good practices which detail actionable measures to strengthen the response to terrorist use of Improvised Explosive Devices across West Africa.
Enhancing the protection of witnesses and criminal justice officials
The Protection of Witnesses and Criminal Justice Officials Toolkit, prepared by the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law under the mandate of Italy and Nigeria as Co-Chairs of the Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group, is a key step forward in operationalizing the GCTF Hague Memorandum for the Judiciary in Adjudicating Terrorism Offenses. The toolkit provides practitioners and policymakers with actionable resources related to the protection of witnesses and criminal justice officials in proceedings regarding terrorism and other serious crimes.
“Our collective engagement in the Doha meeting reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that the GCTF remains a forum for cooperation and practical solutions, translating shared experiences into tangible outcomes that enhance global security and our fight against terrorism,” said H.E. Ambassador Amr El-Hamamy, Director, Counter Terrorism Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt.
“At this 25th GCTF Coordinating Committee meeting, the European Union reaffirms its enduring commitment to countering terrorism—especially where the threat is most acute, across Africa,” said Anna Strząska, Counter-Terrorism Special Envoy of the European External Action Service. “The GCTF remains a vital platform where multilateral cooperation leads to meaningful action. As we look ahead, sustaining momentum—particularly in regions facing complex and evolving challenges—will be essential. Through continued collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and principled engagement, we can help build the foundations for more resilient and secure communities worldwide.”
“By hosting this meeting in Doha, the State of Qatar reaffirms its steadfast commitment to supporting international efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism,” said H.E. Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah Al Henzab, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. “The State of Qatar’s hosting of this meeting reflects its unwavering commitment to fostering multilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism and to supporting initiatives that address the root causes of violent extremism through education, development, and capacity-building. Qatar has adopted a comprehensive and preventive approach that emphasizes empowering youth, advancing education, and promoting a culture of peace and dialogue, in line with the priorities of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
“Doha’s hosting of the 25th GCTF Coordinating Committee meeting underscores the international community’s confidence in Qatar’s leadership and its active role — regionally and globally — in advancing security, stability, and collective efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms,” he added.
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About the GCTF:
The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) is an informal, apolitical, multilateral counterterrorism platform focused on identifying and addressing civilian counterterrorism needs, sharing expertise, and mobilizing resources to prevent and counter terrorism. GCTF works through its various working groups and initiatives to develop innovative strategies and practical solutions to combat terrorism globally. For more information, please visit www.thegctf.org.
Contact
Marc Dodsworth, Communications Manager
Mob: (+31) (0) 610341080 | Email: m.dodsworth@theGCTF.org
GCTF Communications & Outreach
Email: outreach@theGCTF.org
Anouar El Anouni, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security policy
Phone: (+32) 2 291 3580 | Email: comm-spp-foreign-affairs@ec.europa.eu