The Universal Postal Union (UPU) today opened the 25th Universal Postal Congress at Doha, Qatar,with an agenda for change.
More than 2,200 delegates from the UPU’s 192 member countries and other organisations willdebate a broad range of key issues over the next three weeks, culminating in a ministerialconference on October 8 and the adoption of a new global postal strategy, to be known as the DohaPostal Strategy.
Set against the background of a deep transformation in the postal world due to the impact oftechnology, the new strategy will highlight the potential for postal operators to move beyond theirtraditional activities and expand into new areas of business.
The Doha Postal Strategy has four proposed goals for 2016: to improve the interoperability ofthe international postal networks; to provide technical expertise to develop the sector; to promoteinnovative products and services (physical, financial and digital/electronic); to fostersustainable development of the postal sector.
Dr Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Qatar’s minister of culture, arts and heritage, said at theopening press conference yesterday (Sunday) that although technology is making it easier and fasterto communicate than ever before, it cannot cancel the role of the Post. “These changes actuallyreaffirm the Post’s role and that’s why we require a new strategy, as the theme of the Congress, ‘New world, new strategy’, reflects,” said the minister.
Al-Kuwari stressed the importance of the ministerial conference that will take place on 8October, saying that this will be an important step forward in shaping the postal sector’s futureorientation.
UPU Director General Edouard Dayan said the original principles that have guided the UPU sinceits creation almost 140 years ago still apply today: the UPU is devoted to building a worldwidepostal territory and creating a world without borders, giving every citizen a chance to communicateand exchange through the postal network, as well as organising the free movement of messages, goodsand money to facilitate communication and trade. “Although communication has undergone a profoundtransformation since the UPU was created, new technologies are providing opportunities for thepostal sector to develop and adapt to the new realities of today,” he said.
The 25th Universal Postal Congress is expected to formally adopt the Doha Postal Strategy, theglobal postal sector’s roadmap for 2013-2016, whose successful implementation relies on a regionalapproach.
Dayan said the 25th Universal Postal Congress will be an important one, given the many issues tobe discussed – from adopting postal security standards to facilitate the mail’s air transportationto how Posts can work efficiently with customs authorities to move the mail more efficiently andhow countries remunerate each other for processing each other’s mail. Indeed, many proposals on therules that govern the sending of mail across borders will be examined, explained the directorgeneral.
Other Congress highlights include the election of new UPU management on 10 October. The 25thUniversal Postal Congress is hosted by the State of Qatar in cooperation with Qatar Post and underthe patronage of the country’s emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The Congress,which takes place every four years, is the highest decision-making organ of the UPU.
