2023 Counter-Terrorism Week Visibility Report
The Visibility Report showcases key conclusions and outcomes of the Third High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States (19-20 June) and 40 side events (19-23 June) co-organized with 95 stakeholders from all geographical regions and covering a diverse array of CT/PCVE issues.
- 8th Review of the GCTS
- UN General Assembly adopted resolution () on the Eighth Review of the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy
Background and Overview
The Counter-Terrorism Week (CT Week) at the United Nations is a gathering of Member States and international counter-terrorism stakeholders taking place on the occasion of the reviews of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Fourth CT Week is scheduled to take place from 29 June to 2 July 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, under the theme: “A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism through Member States’ Leadership and Action.”
It will comprise:
- The Fourth United Nations High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States to be held on Monday, 29 June and Tuesday, 30 June 2026.
- The Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly for the ninth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, to be held on Wednesday, 1 July and Thursday, 2 July 2026.
- Approximately 30 Side events, which will be organized by Member States together with United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Compact entities, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, academia and the private sector between Monday, 29 June, and Thursday, 2 July 2026.
Ninth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
The United Nations General Assembly reviews the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) periodically, making it a living document attuned to Member States’ counter-terrorism priorities.
All Member States take part in the review of the Strategy as part of the work of the General Assembly. The President of the General Assembly has appointed the Permanent Representatives of Finland and the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations to serve as co-facilitators to assist in steering this intergovernmental process. UNOCT supports the co-facilitators as substantive secretariat of the review process.
The General Assembly reviews the Strategy, considers and adopts a resolution on this occasion.
For more information on the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its ninth review, please visit the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Fourth United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States
The Fourth United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States will take place from Monday, 29 June to Tuesday, 30 June 2026 under the overarching theme “A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism, notably through Member States’ Leadership and Action.”
The Conference will provide a platform for Member States, United Nations entities, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, and the private sector to exchange information, experiences, and good practices, as well as to explore further cooperation on key counter-terrorism priorities under the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. As one of the first dedicated system-wide follow-up events after the adoption of the Pact for the Future in September 2024, the Conference will provide a timely opportunity for Member States to demonstrate leadership of the counter-terrorism agenda through inclusive, preventive, and coordinated approaches while reinforcing global priorities, including digital cooperation and youth engagement.
Side Events
Approximately 30 side events will be held as part of CT Week, co-organized by Member States, UN Global Counter-Terrorism Compact entities, international and regional organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Each side event, lasting no more than 90 minutes, will feature discussions under the overarching theme of the United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, “A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism, notably through Member States’ Leadership and Action”.
Side events aim to exchange views on key priorities for the implementation of all four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and relevant Security Council resolutions.
These side events aim to convene high-level officials and experts from diverse backgrounds, providing a platform to share good practices and strengthen networked, multilateral efforts in the fight against terrorism under the auspices of the United Nations.
UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the on 8 September 2006. The strategy is a unique global instrument to enhance national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism. The General Assembly reviews the Strategy every two years, making it a living document attuned to Member States’ counter-terrorism priorities.
2023 Counter-Terrorism Week
The UN Secretary-General convened the second UN High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, on 19 to 23 June 2023 at United Nations Headquarters. The overarching theme for this Conference was “Addressing Terrorism through Reinvigorated Multilateralism and Institutional Cooperation”
2021 Counter-Terrorism Week
The UN Secretary-General convened the second UN High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, on 28-30 June 2021 at United Nations Headquarters. The overarching theme for this Conference was “Countering and Preventing Terrorism in the Age of Transformative Technologies: Addressing the Challenges of the New Decade”.
2020 Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week
The Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week was held from 6-10 July 2020 and convened under the overarching theme of “Strategic and Practical Challenges of Countering Terrorism in a Global Pandemic Environment”.
2018 Counter-Terrorism Week
The UN Secretary-General convened the first UN High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, on 28 and 29 June 2018 at United Nations Headquarters. The overarching theme for this Conference is “Strengthening international cooperation to combat the evolving threat of terrorism”.