The current director of the World Trade Organization has been hired as PepsiCo’s first-ever chief corporate affairs officer.

The position combines PepsiCo’s public policy, government affairs, and communications activities. Roberto Azevêdo, a Brazilian native who has headed the WTO since 2013, will be responsible for PepsiCos external engagement efforts with national and international governments, regulators, international organizations and other entities.

Before being named as the sixth director-general of the WTO, Azevêdo had been vice-minister for economic and technological affairs at Brazil’s foreign ministry. Before that, he served in diplomatic posts in the United States, Uruguay and Switzerland.

"We are thrilled to welcome Roberto, who brings valuable political skills and technical knowledge of the complex social, political, and regulatory environments impacting multinational corporations like PepsiCo," CEO Ramon Laguarta said in a statement.