Leila Cobo, co-chief content officer at Billboard, was honoured on 22 September by Fashion 4 Development for her work preserving Latin culture through music. The recognition took place at the 14th annual Official First Ladies Luncheon during the 81st UN General Assembly in New York City. Other distinguished honourees included tributes to philanthropist Ted Turner and fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, with the event celebrating the relationship between diplomacy, fashion, and cultural preservation.

The luncheon, co-hosted by Fashion 4 Development founder Evie Evangelou and Dame Amanda Schumacher, emphasised the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and global development. Cobo's mission has focused on showcasing the achievements of Latin-centric artists and creatives, particularly musicians, whilst bridging cultural divides. The event highlighted that Fashion 4 Development has evolved from a UN Goals initiative into an internationally recognised platform promoting cultural celebration and meaningful social change through collaborative leadership.