Eduardo Paes is a lawyer graduated from PUC Rio de Janeiro, with a specialization from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. He began his public career in 1993, serving as city councilor and federal deputy for two terms. He also held municipal and state secretary roles, contributing to the organization of the 2007 Pan and Parapan American Games. Elected mayor of Rio de Janeiro in 2008, he was re-elected in 2012, 2020, and 2024, becoming the first to serve four terms. He has also chaired the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and Brazil’s Frente Nacional de Prefeitas e Prefeitos.