Ricardo Rio was born in 1972, he is married and father of three daughters. He graduated in Economics at the Faculty of Economics of Porto, where he also completed the coursework of the MSc in Economics. He also completed the Advanced Course in Political Studies of the Institute of Political Studies at the Catholic University of Lisbon.

Ricardo Rio brings more than twenty years of leadership in public administration, economic development, and international urban policy to his role as Director for Strategic Partnerships at GeSI. A former Mayor of Braga (2013–2025), he has been a prominent figure in global city diplomacy, serving as Chair of the Global Parliament of Mayors, a member of the Executive Committee of Eurocities, Vice-Chair of the UNECE Forum of Mayors, and a contributor to the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth initiative. He also represented regional authorities in the EU Committee of the Regions, acting as rapporteur on the SDGs, the social economy, and defence. His long-standing dedication to sustainable and inclusive urban development has earned him global recognition, including the World Mayor for Sustainability Award (2021) and the Dr. Benjamin Barber Global Cities Award (2025).

At GeSI, Ricardo plays two key roles: as Head of EMEA, he leads the expansion of GeSI’s initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and as Lead for Strategic Partnerships, he drives engagement with public-sector partners, city governments, and international networks. His work focuses on building collaborations that accelerate technology-enabled solutions for resilient, sustainable, and people-centred development, supporting GeSI’s broader mission of advancing digital innovation for global societal impact.

Ricardo’s earlier career includes senior roles in the financial and business sectors—serving as Secretary-General of the Portuguese Association of Financial Analysts and Director of the Capital Markets Institute at Euronext Lisbon—as well as extensive experience as a consultant and university lecturer.

Overview