Zein Abdalla of PepsiCo Europe takes over Presidency of European Beverages Association

Zein Abdalla, President of UNESDA

Zein Abdalla, chief executive officer of PepsiCo Europe, has been elected president of UNESDA, the Union of European Beverages Associations, representing the non-alcoholic drinks industry in Europe.

Zein Abdalla, President of UNESDA

He succeeds Luis Bach, president of Orangina Schweppes Europe, in the role with immediate effect and will serve a two-year tenure.

Assuming the presidency at the UNESDA board meeting in Madrid last week, Abdalla committed to focus the association on three key areas: Demonstrating the continued responsibility of the sector; enhancing its standing in the areas of health and wellness and environmental sustainability, and protecting the industry’s core products and reputation.

“Our sector led the way in showing that industry can act more quickly than regulation and we must continue to deliver on our commitments and ensure that they remain relevant for the stakeholders that we serve,” stated Abdalla. “In particular we must ensure that rigorous science is used to underpin the reputation of our core products.”

“I am also convinced that we need to get out there more and tell our good news story,” he continued. “I look forward to working with UNESDA to find original and creative ways to engage with regulators, peers and consumers on all the things our industry is doing to encourage healthy and balanced lifestyles.”

UNESDA, which gathers 12 corporate members and 25 National Associations is based in Brussels and has been established for more than 50 years.