Biography of Head of Delegation in Rome
Ambassador Luis Ritto,
Head of the Delegation of the European Commission
to the Holy See, to the Sovereign Order of Malta and to the United Nations in Rome
Mr. Ritto presented his credentials on 10th March 2004 to Mr Jacques Diouf, FAO Director General and to Mr James T. Morris, WFP Executive Director. On June 24th 2006, he was accredited as Ambassador to the Holy See and on 12th June 2007, he was also appointed as representative of the European Commission to the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Before being appointed in Rome, Mr. Ritto was Head of Unit for the Caribbean and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), at the Directorate General for Development at the European Commission in Brussels (1998-2004).
He began his career with the European Commission in 1987, first as Head of Sector and then Head of Unit in the Directorate General Credit and Investment. In 1992, he moved to the Directorate General for Development, as Head of Division in charge of private initiative development, development of industry and enterprises and investment promotion.
Prior to his working experience at the European Commission, Mr. Ritto has had a vast experience in banking and company managing from 1978-1987, as general manager for two financial institutions in Luxembourg (Banque Portugaise du Luxembourg and Afcor Investments Limited) and also has worked as general manager of a Wine company in Funchal, Madeira (Madeira Wine Company Lda).
From 1968 to 1978 Mr. Ritto was employed as a junior manager and later as a senior manager for the following institutions, both in Portugal and in the Southern Africa region: Banco Pinto & Sotto Mayor (Lisbon and Mozambique), Navetur Limitada (Mozambique), Instituto de Crédito de Mozambique (Mozambique).
Mr. Ritto has a Doctorate in Business Management (Washington University) and a Masters in International Politics (CERIS/Université de Paris XI). He studied Economics at the University of Natal, Durban (B.Sc.) and at University of South Africa, Pretoria (B.A.). He has also followed post-graduate courses in Financial Management (London Business School) and in Executive Management (Pennsylvania State University).
Luis Ritto is married and has two grown-up daughters. He is fluent in English, French and Portuguese (mother tongue) and can read Spanish and Italian.
- Ref: DELR07-001EN
- EU source: European Commission
- UN forum:
- Date: 3/10/2007
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