Ricardo Rio

Ricardo Rio is the Mayor of Braga since 2013, the third largest city of Portugal. Besides being a proud member of the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative, is an Executive Committee Member of EUROCITIES, Member of board of the Global Parliament of Mayors and a member of the European Committee of the Regions (where he is the Vice-Chairman of SEDEC Commission). He was the winner of the World Mayor Prize for Sustainability 2021, attributed by The City Mayors Foundation. Under Mayor Rio’s leadership, Braga is a founder member of the Global StartUp Cities initiative, member of the EUROCITIES Green City Accord and member of the European Commission and European Committee of the Regions’ Chamber of National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors for Portugal.

A brighter future in Braga: How the city supports youth and migrant communities

22 August 2023 Ricardo Rio

In Braga, 40% of residents are under 30 years old, and the city has attracted and retained residents at a time when Portugal’s population overall was declining. For this “Mayor of the Moment” interview, Braga Mayor Ricardo Rio shares his strategies to support youth in the city.

Back to basics in Braga: Making urban homes more affordable

23 May 2023 Ricardo Rio

The city of Braga, in the North of Portugal, is facing a housing crisis unprecedented in its recent history. The municipality decided it was time for a reset…

Walking the talk: Can the SDGs help support the COVID-19 recovery in cities and regions?

01 August 2022 Ricardo Rio

In times of a global pandemic, war and rising instability, how do we get back on track to good health, peace and resilience? The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers a solid route, but we need to step up action.