In accordance with the IPU’s founding principles of dialogue and peace-building, the issue of terrorism has been on the Organization's agenda since the early 20th century, starting with its 23rd Conference in 1925 in Washington D.C., USA.

Parliamentarians play a crucial role in influencing the conditions conducive to terrorism and preventing violent extremism. In accordance with the IPU Strategy, the High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism (HLAG) was established in 2017. The HLAG provided the impetus for the creation of the IPU’s programme on counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism (CTPVE), which aims to support parliamentarians in their global efforts in this area.

The programme incorporates various activities and products that promote dialogue and the exchange of best practices, raise awareness, and catalyse collective parliamentary action at the national, regional and international levels. It engages in capacity-building activities and develops new information technology tools primarily designed to enhance communication between parliaments.

Interactive Map: Among the tools produced by the programme is an interactive map available at https://counter-terrorism.ipu.org/. This map serves as a crucial resource for parliamentarians by centralizing information on global efforts to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism, developed with data from parliaments.

Mobile Application: Another essential tool is the mobile application, which offers digital access to essential information and resources in the fight against terrorism. Accessible from various devices, the app provides a comprehensive experience, including access to events, articles, news and external links. (Download the IPU-CTPVE App for Android or Apple).

The CTPVE programme collaborates with various specialized agencies of the United Nations, as well as other international organizations and academia, to support parliamentarians in facilitating the transposition of international resolutions and decisions into domestic legislation, and promoting regional parliamentary cooperation. The CTPVE programme plays a crucial role in elevating the concerns of regions facing the threat of terrorism to the international agenda, and seeks to collaborate with the international community to identify and implement solutions to the challenges countries face in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism.