28th Universal Postal Congress concludes in Dubai

• The 28th Universal Postal Congress was held in Dubai, UAE, from September 8 to 19.

• Japan’s Masahiko Metoki has been re-elected as Director General of the Universal Postal Union for the next four years.

• Slovenia’s Marjan Osvald has been re-elected as its Deputy Director General.

• Their mandate to lead the UPU will begin on January 1, 2026 and extend  until December 31, 2029.

• India has been re-elected to the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council of the UPU.

• The Council of Administration is responsible for policy, regulatory and governance matters. 

• The Postal Operations Council is the technical and operational body that drives the modernisation of postal services worldwide.

• With this re-election, India will continue to play a proactive role in shaping the future of the global postal sector, driving innovation, inclusivity, and development. 

• India has also expressed its intent to take on a leadership role within the Council of Administration during the forthcoming cycle.

• India has been a member of the UPU since 1876 and has consistently contributed to strengthening the global postal network.

Universal Postal Union

• The Universal Postal Union (UPU), with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, is one of the oldest international organisations.

• It was established in 1874.

• India became a member of the Universal Postal Union in 1876.

• With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

• It coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system.

• The UPU became a specialised agency of the United Nations on July 1, 1948. The UPU contributes to the development of UN policies and activities that have a direct link with its mandate and missions to promote social and economic development.

• The organisation fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and provides technical assistance where needed. 

• It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel and financial services volumes and improve quality of service for customers.

• Any member country of the United Nations may become a member of the UPU.

• Any non-member country of the United Nations may become a UPU member provided that its request is approved by at least two-thirds of the member countries of the UPU. 

The UPU consists of four bodies

i) The Congress: Congress is the supreme authority of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and meets every four years.

ii) The Council of Administration: The Council ensures the continuity of the UPU’s work between Congresses, supervises its activities and studies regulatory, administrative, legislative and legal issues.

iii) The Postal Operations Council: It is the technical and operational mind of the UPU and consists of 48 member countries, elected during Congress.

iv) The International Bureau: Fulfilling a secretariat function, the International Bureau provides logistical and technical support to the UPU’s bodies.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)