Vasco Alves Cordeiro (PT/PES), was President of the European Committee of the Regions from June 2022 to February 2025.
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and President of the Regional Government of the Azores between 2012 and 2022, he has been a member of the European Committee of the Regions since 2013, and, previously, from 2004 to 2008, as an alternate member.
His Presidency – under the motto "A Europe for everyone, and by everyone" – was guided by three priorities: a stronger and fairer Europe, the fight for a renewed cohesion policy and raising the political profile of the European Committee of the Regions.
Under his leadership, the European Committee of the Regions, as the political assembly of all regions and cities in Europe, became reinforced and readier to further shape EU legislation so that it serves all people and all territories. His achievements include, among others, the largest European Summit of Regions and Cities, a strong engagement of local and regional authorities in view of the European elections, a new vision for cohesion policy (with two opinions on the matter), and renewed cooperation with the European Parliament and the European Commission. His Presidency was also instrumental in pursuing the work of the Committee in support to Ukraine, launching the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, and a 10-point support package presented to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He initiated new avenues for cooperation across the globe, such as with the United States and Brazil, and led many internal reforms, including a new strategy for gender equality, a climate-neutral Committee and new rules of procedures.
