Courtesy Visit with Her Excellency Victoria Busby OBE, British High Commissioner to Malta.

The IIJ had the pleasure of meeting with Her Excellency Victoria Busby OBE, British High Commissioner to Malta, British High Commission Malta, for a courtesy visit.

The IIJ is proud to have the United Kingdom as a member of its Governing Board and greatly values its longstanding support for the Institute’s mission to strengthen justice systems and uphold the rule of law in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime.

During the meeting, IIJ Executive Secretary Naoufel Gaied expressed his sincere appreciation for the UK’s continued partnership and commitment to advancing international cooperation and strengthening justice sector capacity worldwide.

Meeting with European External Action Service Deputy Managing Director Maciej Stadejek

The IIJ was honoured to welcome Deputy Managing Director Maciej Stadejek of the European External Action Service to our headquarters in Valletta for a courtesy visit.

As a valued partner and Governing Board Member, Executive Secretary Naoufel Gaied expressed his sincere appreciation for the European Union’s continued support and expertise to strengthen rule of law–based counter-terrorism responses.

Through the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), the EU supports the IIJ’s global initiative, CT PHARE – Platform for Human Rights Engagement, which delivers human rights-based counter-terrorism capacity-building and policy support to beneficiary countries and regions through October 2026.

The EU has also entrusted the IIJ with a new initiative, Advancing Women in CT, running until October 2028. The programme aims to strengthen the full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership of women in counter-terrorism efforts through a global network of practitioners and experts, while supporting the development of a @Global Counterterrorism Forum framework on women’s leadership in counter-terrorism.

In addition, the EU supported a three-year FPI-funded project to  advance a comprehensive approach to the prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration (PRR) of individuals returning from Iraq and Northeast Syria. Throughout this project the IIJ provides specialised expertise and operational support to strengthen criminal justice responses in line with international standards and human rights obligations.

New Executive Secretary for the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law

The International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Naoufel Gaied as its new Executive Secretary.

Mr. Gaied brings extensive experience in justice, counter-terrorism, and international cooperation to the Institute. He joined the IIJ in October 2024 as Director of the Academic Unit and a member of the senior management team. In this role, he has led efforts to strengthen national capacities in counter-terrorism, including through the development of specialised excellence modules addressing terrorism and transnational organised crime.

Prior to joining the IIJ, Mr. Gaied led the Mission to Combat Violent Radicalisation at the French Ministry of Justice. Over the course of his career, he has developed more than two decades of public service experience as a criminal justice practitioner, including eleven years dedicated to counter-terrorism within both the Ministries of Justice and Interior.

Mr. Gaied’s professional background reflects a strong commitment to advancing the rule of law and supporting practitioners on the front lines of preventing and responding to evolving security threats.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Executive Secretary at the IIJ,” Mr. Gaied said. “The Institute plays a vital role in supporting criminal justice practitioners worldwide. I look forward to continuing building on its strong foundations and further strengthening international cooperation to address the complex challenges posed by terrorism and transnational crime.”

In addition to his operational experience, Mr. Gaied has contributed to policy development and capacity-building initiatives across jurisdictions, reinforcing his reputation as a leader in the field of counterterrorism and justice sector reform.

The IIJ looks forward to Mr. Gaied’s leadership as it continues to deliver impactful, practitioner-focused programming in support of its global mission.

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