Universal Postal Union (UPU),
established on 9th October, 1874 with its headquarters in Berne, is the second
oldest international organization worldwide. UPU, with its 192 member
countries, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players
to ensure one postal territory world over. UPU is celebrating its 150th
anniversary on 9th October, 2024. The event will be marked with festivities and
arrangements of different competitions and social programs all across the world.
UPU fulfills an advisory,
mediating and liaison role, and provides technical assistance to its members
where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes
recommendations to stimulate growth in mail and financial services volumes and
improve quality of service for customers.
Working
of UPU
UPU comprises of following four
working bodies which run its business:
1-
Congress
Congress is the
supreme authority of the UPU and meets every four years. Plenipotentiaries from
the UPU's 192 member countries gather on this occasion to decide on a new World
Postal Strategy and set the future rules for international mail exchanges. In
some circumstances, an Extraordinary Congress may also be convened at the
request or with the consent of at least two thirds of the member countries.
2-
Council of
Administration (CA)
The Council of
Administration (CA) consists of 41 member countries and meets biannually at UPU
headquarters in Berne. The Council ensures the continuity of the UPU's work
between Congresses, supervises its activities and studies. regulatory,
administrative, legislative and legal issues.
3-
Postal Operations
Council (POC)
Postal
Operations Council (POC) is the technical and operational mind of the UPU and
consists of 48 member countries, elected during Congress. The body elects its
own chair and meets biannually at the UPU's headquarters in Berne.
The POC's work
programme is geared towards helping Posts modernize and upgrade their postal
products and services. It deals with the operational, economic and commercial
aspects of the postal business. The body also makes recommendations to member
countries on standards for technological, operational or other processes within
its competence where uniform practices are necessary.
4-
International
Bureau
International
Bureau the UPU's headquarters is located in Berne (Switzerland). It has a staff
of about 250 employees drawn from about 50 different countries. Fulfilling a
secretariat function, the international Bureau provides logistical and
technical support to the UPU's bodies. It serves as an office of liaison,
information and consultation, and promotes technical cooperation among Union
members. In recent years, the International Bureau has taken on a stronger leadership
role in certain activities. These include the application of postal technology
through its Postal Technology Centre, the development of postal markets through
potential growth areas such as direct mail and EMS, and the monitoring of
quality of service on a global scale.
Regional
coordinators in the field strengthens the International Bureau's ability to
assist Posts of developing countries in the most effective manner. They oversee
the planning, preparation, implementation and follow-up of postal development projects
in their regions.
Through its
Postal Technology Centre, the UPU has established a number of regional support
centres in different parts of the world to support its information technology
activities. These centres anage the deployment and support of UPU technology
applications, products and services within their respective regions.
Pakistan & WORDS
Pakistan joined UPU on 10th
November, 1947. From time to time, UPU has provided support to Pakistan for
capacity building of its officers and for the betterment of postal operations
in the country. Pakistan has remained member of POC and CA during different
Congress Cycles and played very active role in formulation and implementation
of world postal strategies. During Istanbul Cycle, Pakistan also got opportunity
to serve as co-chair of Council of Administration.
On the occasion of 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), with a Commemorative postage Stamp of Rs.150/- denomination and two Souvenir Sheets valued Rs 100 each are being issued by Pakistan Post on 9th October, 2024
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