Eduardo Paes is the former mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, serving four terms from 2009 to 2016. During his tenure, Paes led the city's transformation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, investing in infrastructure, public transit, and sustainability initiatives.

As a C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group chair, he championed urban climate action and has been recognized for his work on resilient, equitable cities. Paes' keynotes draw on his experience leading one of the world's most complex metropolitan areas, offering insights on collaborative governance, long-term planning, and balancing economic, social, and environmental priorities.