PepsiCo delegates from around the globe are among the 600 young leaders attending the Ninth Annual United Nations Youth Assembly (UNYA), a three-day conference, which began yesterday, August 3, at UN headquarters in New York City to discuss progress against the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). PepsiCo is sponsoring the trips of 34 delegates in an effort to empower youth, allow them to build leadership skills and encourage awareness of world issues.

PepsiCo chose individuals to participate in the UNYA based on their demonstrated passion for driving the MDGs, championing of humanitarian causes, and contributions to improve their local communities and environment. Several of the PepsiCo delegates have also previously worked with the company on successful regional youth activities initiated to drive positive change.

PepsiCo Asia, Middle East & Africa is sponsoring 15 young Arab leaders between the ages of 20 and 30 from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Palestine, and the United Arab Emirates. The PepsiCo Arab delegates come from a variety of backgrounds and are actively driving social and community development activities often linked to advancing the MDGs in their countries.

PepsiCo Latin America Beverages is sponsoring 19 young leaders who participated in the Eco-Challenge, a competition developed by PepsiCo and the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) for young people from Latin America and the Caribbean to create awareness and solutions for environmental conservation while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. The delegates come from 14 countries, including Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Argentina, Grenada, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad, Ecuador and Honduras.

Today, August 4, Luis Montoya, president of PepsiCo Latin America Beverages, is launching the PepsiCo Eco-Challenge 3.0 edition and will present winners from previous editions before the broader UNYA in a session titled ‘Latin American Youth Speak Out.’ PepsiCo delegates will also lead panel discussions at the UNYA under the theme of ‘The Arab Spring and Social Media: Implications for the Future,’ which highlight the importance of technology in driving the current social change experienced in the region.