Marco Mantovanelli

About Marco Mantovanelli

Experienced international development professional with 30 years of work across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Central Asia. Currently leading the regional team for Asia & Pacific, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean, and Middle East at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the largest global fund dedicated to transforming global education in lower income countries, and a unique, multi-stakeholder partnership. I coordinate a team working in 40+ countries to strengthen partnerships and financing to build stronger education systems as a springboard to stronger economies and fairer, more stable societies.Previously, I was the head of the World Bank office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, overseeing the country\'s dialogue, managing partner relations, and developing and implementing the Bank\'s country program to support Uzbekistan\'s transition to an inclusive and sustainable market economy. I managed a portfolio of investment projects worth approximately US$5 billion and strategic partnerships with development actors such as the UN system, international financial institutions, the European Union, and bilateral donors. Additionally, I coordinated engagement with civil society and media in Uzbekistan.I have also served with similar responsibilities as head of six other World Bank country offices in fragile and middle-income countries. In these roles, I shaped World Bank strategies to support national development goals, responded to external shocks such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the global pandemic and fostered strong partnerships with clients and development partners. I also managed external communications for the World Bank and was the spokesperson for the Africa region. In corporate roles, I led the dialogue with the International Development Association (IDA) on the IDA Results Measurement System and negotiated a corporate framework agreement for trust-funds with the European Commission. I started my career at the Bank as a task team leader on various education projects, focusing on managing decentralized education services and increasing schooling opportunities in poor rural communities of Latin America. Prior to joining the World Bank, I served in the Italian navy and worked as economic analyst consultant. I am fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

Experience

1. Regional Manager Asia & Pacific, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean, Midlle East

   Global Partnership For Education

   Jan 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

Education

• Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna

  Bachelor's degree, Political Science and Economics - International Focus

  1989

• Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

  Master's degree, International Economics and Relations

  1992