ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding with one of the leading food and beverage companies operating in Pakistan to promote the ‘Kamyab Jawan Pakistan’ project.

Pakistan’s ‘youth bulge’ offers unique opportunities for the country’s social and economic development.

Both UNDP Pakistan and PepsiCo have programmes aimed at harnessing the potential the youth bulge presents.

UNDP Pakistan National Human Development Report estimates that more than 29pc of country’s population consists of young people between the ages of 15-29 years.

The Youth Empowerment Programme (Kamyab Jawan Pakistan) aims at creating opportunities for knowledge, skills and leadership development of the youth to further the ‘Agenda 2030’.

UNDP Country Director, Ignacio Artaza and PepsiCo Vice President Corporate Affairs for Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Krista Pilot signed the MoU at a ceremony in Islamabad.

PepsiCo Pakistan’s partnership with UNDP aims to facilitate opportunities for young people to develop desirable job skills, such as communication, teamwork, time-management and leadership, to increase their potential for successful employment.

PepsiCo will work with UNDP to ensure programme participants include youth from the areas of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2018