The 21st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting has come to a successful close, where the Co-Chairs highlighted the Strategic Priorities for a more inclusive, action-oriented GCTF. One that is responsive to changing needs on the ground: an enhanced geographical focus on Africa, whilst not losing sight of the challenges elsewhere; outreach to a broad range of actors, including other international organizations and civil society; promoting women’s participation across the criminal justice chain and gender-sensitive policies. The Meeting also brought a change of Co-Chair to the forum from Morocco to Egypt where gratitude was expressed to Morocco and Egypt warmly welcomed. The Co-Chairs are bringing a refreshed outlook on the Forum's activities, and are confident in the direction of the Forum’s future, strengthened by the support of the GCTF Members and partners. 

 

 

On 4 May 2023, Egypt and the European Union co-chaired the 21st Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Coordinating Committee Meeting, under the auspices of H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, in Cairo. Over 150 senior counterterrorism and criminal justice officials and practitioners from more than thirty countries discussed future action to counter global terrorism and violent extremism threats. At the meeting, Co-Chairs, Egypt, and the European Union, presented their vision for the strategic direction and objectives of the GCTF during their tenure (2023-2025). Central to this vision is a more action-oriented and responsive Forum, delivering value where it is most needed.

According to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index, terrorist attacks became more deadly in 2022, killing on average 1.7 people per attack in 2022, compared to 1.3 deaths per attack in 2021. While there has been an overall reduction in the impact of terrorism globally, the African continent continues to be home to violence. Despite considerable efforts, the relative gains achieved through militarized approaches have not managed to stop the spiral of terrorism and violence in the region. The GCTF Co-Chairs, Egypt and the European Union, with the support of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), organized an in-person side event prior to the 21^st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting to help bring forth real cases and challenges to the Forum, and work towards a sustainable, comprehensive approach to counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism.

Rehabilitating and reintegrating FTFs and their family members is complex on social, security and human rights dimensions. To gain a better understanding, collective dialogue and information exchange on capacity building and on the strengthening of good practices tailored to local contexts and human security perspectives, is essential.

On 2 May, an interactive, in-person side event was made possible by the Foreign Terrorist Fighter Working Group (FTF WG), co-chaired by the United States and Jordan, and the Countering Violent Extremism Working Group (CVE WG), co-chaired by Australia and Indonesia, on the margins of the 21^st  GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting in Cairo, Egypt.

Judicial independence includes the duty and ability of a judge to decide each case on the basis of an objective evaluation of evidence that is presented, and an impartial application of the law, without the influence of outside factors – to ensure that the fundamental rights of all parties to a case have been fully respected. The Plenary Meeting of the GCTF Criminal Justice and Rule of Law (CJ-ROL) Working Group is the first under the Working Group Co-Chairs, Italy and Nigeria. The meeting provides an opportunity for the Co-Chairs to present the Working Group’s main priority areas, and for the participants to reflect on current practices and provide strategic guidance.