Carola Schouten is the mayor of Rotterdam. As mayor of a city that fully understands its pivotal role in the future, Schouten emphasizes that Rotterdam has everything it needs to be both sustainable and economically strong. The city is not only an industrial powerhouse and a center of innovation, but it also boasts one of the largest and most important ports in the world: the Port of Rotterdam. This key economic asset positions the city as a global leader in trade, logistics, maritime and sustainable industries. With the strong collaboration between the City of Rotterdam, the Port of Rotterdam, Delft University of Technology, Innovation Quarter, TNO and the Province South Holland, Rotterdam is uniquely equipped to accelerate the green energy transition and innovation-driven economic growth. Schouten has always focused on serving the national interest, consistently identifying and creating opportunities for growth. As mayor, she is committed to promoting social cohesion, safety and a sustainable, future-proof economy. She is dedicated to serving all Rotterdam residents while strengthening collaboration across the city, ensuring that the benefits of innovation and sustainability reach everyone. After studying Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Schouten played an important part in coalition negotiations across multiple Dutch governments. She held several senior government positions, including Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands (2017-2024), Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (2017-2022) and Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation, and Pensions (2022-2024).