Global counterterrorism forum to be held in Turkey

Turkey will be hosting second meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), a multinational venue that is expected to provide a place to identify problems and threats and devise strategies to combat terrorism on a global scale, where 30 countries will participate, mostly on ministerial level Today`s Zaman reported.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially launched the initiative in New York last September, followed by the first meeting of its highest executive body.

The GCTF, co-chaired by the US and Turkey, was initially announced on Sept. 9 by Clinton, who pledged that the forum would bring together traditional allies, emerging powers and Muslim-majority countries.

The GCTF is an effort to build the international framework for dealing with 21st century terrorism. The forum is aimed at providing a platform for policy makers and experts both from member countries and outside parties to identify urgent needs, devise solutions and mobilize resources for addressing key counterterrorism challenges. Countries emerging from the Arab Spring, the EU countries, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Nigeria and Japan are among the countries currently participating in the forum.

The statement said the forum is composed of countries who are on the same page on the issue of terrorism from all around the world, adding that participation and cooperation activities are based on volunteer principle. The statement said the forum aims to bring the experiences of countries together in a civilian fashion and will provide an opportunity for relevant experts to get together.

The statement underlined that most of the countries will attend the forum on ministerial level, including the United Nations, which Turkey said have supported the initiative since its inception.

The Coordination Committee's ministerial gathering will be on June 7, while senior level civil servants' meeting will be on June 7 afternoon and June 8.


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