The EU-Majalat Civil Society Forum 2018 brought together representatives of the EU and NGOs, trade unions, business associations, think-tanks and practitioners mainly from the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood partner countries. The Forum was organized around four key topics, namely, good governance and rule of law, security and countering violence, migration, and economic development and social dialogue. Commissioner Johannes Hahn delivered a speech at the beginning of the second day of the forum, where he raised the crucial role of civil society in holding “governments to account” and giving “a voice to those that cannot speak for themselves”. He added that “civil society organisations are a driver of stability in a region that has seen rising insecurity” and addressing all participants, he said “while some countries such as Tunisia have given citizens more of a voice, and have improved government accountability, in other parts of the region, the situation remains complex (…) I want you to know that when we see increased pressure on civil society and attempts to silence critical voices, we do not remain silent about it, we choose how and when to raise delicate issues, but rest assured, we do raise them”.