It is with deep gratitude and pride that I welcome you as we celebrate 20 years of DefendDefenders, two decades of unwavering commitment to protecting those who defend the rights of others. Since 2005, we have helped transform a once perilous landscape for human rights defenders through solidarity, partnership, and innovation. Today, DefendDefenders stands as a pillar of protection, having supported thousands of HRDs through emergency assistance, safe relocation, and psychosocial support. Our Ubuntu Hub Cities Initiative, now active across Africa, embodies the spirit of “Africans protecting Africans.” As we celebrate this milestone, we also reflect on persistent and emerging challenges facing HRDs and commit to advancing collaborative, future-oriented strategies to sustain the human rights movement.