Winter 2019 / Special anniversary edition

A YEAR TO REMEMBER Design competition for the ABIDJAN CYCLE international reply coupon

Under the theme “PRESERVE THE ECOSYSTEM ̶ PROTECT THE CLIMATE”

OPEN TO ALL UPU MEMBER COUNTRIES

For more information: [email protected]

www.upu.int UPU HIGH-LEVEL FORUM ON WIDER POSTAL SECTOR ENGAGEMENT

1 FEBRUAR 2020 BERNE, SWITERLAND

LEARN MORE www.upu.int IN BRIEF 11 Withstanding the test of time

The Post has existed for many centuries, but the UPU’s founding created FOREWORD the first truly global postal network. A timeline of events leading up to 6 A year the UPU’s creation and continuing on to the present day marks to remember important events throughout postal history, demonstrating the profound effect the Union has had on the sector’s development. 7 EDITOR’S NOTE Ending on PHILATELY a high note 29 Commemorating SNAPSHOT the UPU in colour 8 Happy birthday, Postal customers around the world UPU! had the chance to join in on the UPU’s 145th anniversary celebrations with Call for projects the release of a special commemorative 10 FITAF stamp design.

#UPU145 24 PHILATELY 145 years in 145 days 30 Immortalizing art through stamps Anyone who has ever visited the UPU’s International Bureau in Berne, Switzerland, has probably taken note of the beautiful works of art throughout its halls, gifted by member countries. Some of the artists ERRATUM: UNION POSTALE featured there also have a unique connection to the philatelic world. Autumn 2019 (English), pg. 31: “Poste Italiane” was misspelled. MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 CONTENTS

COVER STORY UNION POSTALE is the Universal Postal 18 Union’s flagship magazine, founded in 1875. It is published quarterly in seven languages and takes a closer look at 145 Years UPU activities, featuring international news and developments from the postal sector. The magazine regularly publishes well of Delivering researched articles on topical issues facing the industry, as well as interviews with the sector’s leading individuals. It is distributed widely to the UPU’s 192 Development member countries, including thousands of decision-makers from governments th The 145 anniversary of the UPU was a cause for yearlong and Posts, as well as other postal stake­ holders. All regard it as an important celebrations at the organization’s home base in Berne, source of inform­ation about the UPU Switzerland. and the postal sector at large. UNION POSTALE is also published in French, Arabic, Chinese, German, Russian and Spanish. The Universal Postal Union neither endorses any products or services offered by third-party advertisers nor FEATURE guarantees the veracity of any claims made by the same. Opinions expressed 32 International Letter-Writing in the articles are not necessarily those of the UPU. Competition winner visits UPU It is expressly forbidden to reproduce any part of UNION POSTALE magazine Fourteen-year-old Richemelle Francilia Somissou Koukoui travelled from Benin (including text, images or illustrations) to Berne to celebrate her gold win in the UPU’s 2019 International Letter-Writing without prior permission. Competition for Young People. Winter 2019 Special anniversary edition

Refers to the season in EVENTS the country of publication.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: 36 Looking back at 2019 Kayla Redstone (KR) The UPU’s 145th year was one full of celebration, but AUTHORS: David Dadge (DD), Olena Muravyova (OM) also hard work. In addition to celebrating Sonja Denovski (SD), the milestone anniversary, the organization DESIGN AND LAYOUT: coordinated several successful high-level, Sonja Denovski strategic events throughout the course of 2019 – PRINTING: UPU Print Shop the outcomes of which will help set the course COVER PHOTO: Ivan Steiner

of the Union’s future. SUBSCRIPTIONS: [email protected] ADVERTISING: EVENTS [email protected] CONTACT: 40 World Post Day UNION POSTALE International Bureau around the world Universal Postal Union P.O. Box 312 UPU’s member countries joined in the World Post 3000 BERNE 15 Day celebrations in different ways. The following SWITZERLAND are some highlights from how Posts around the PHONE: +41 31 350 31 11 world marked the occasion. E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: news.upu.int/magazine

UNION POSTALE FOREWORD A year to remember

Sheikh and San José, we actively sharpened At the event, on 9 October, Deputy Director the draft Abidjan World Postal Strategy General Pascal Clivaz spoke for us all when he thanks to the incisive views and inputs of told the audience, “The 22 founding member countries. Other events this year members who signed the Treaty of also served to ensure that the UPU continued Berne created an agreement that has – to emphasize its global role as the voice of quite literally – and I say this in all the international postal network. In modesty, benefited the entire world.” Amsterdam on 30 September, in an interview held at UPU’s World CEO Forum, I outlined Returning to the UPU’s headquarters, we the success of the Geneva Congress and its held an awards ceremony for the winners of likely impact on the Post’s future. the Integrated Index for Postal Development (also known as 2IPD), and the winner of our International Letter Writing Competition for Young People. The UPU’s staff also united on “In the last 145 years, the same day to celebrate the organization’s we have seen many birthday. These events helped reinforce not only our vibrant past, but also our present There can be no doubt that 2019 was one transformations, but the work in the areas of digital transformation of the most memorable in our history. It is and e-commerce. therefore fitting that, in a year when we breakneck pace of today’s celebrated our 145th anniversary, we also change is such that postal Then there was my meeting with the demonstrated our enduring ability to turn operators are redefining President of the United States. In January, burning challenges into bright opportunities. if you had told me that on 15 October their role within the new I would be standing next to President Donald Our year, however, did not begin with digital economy and the J. Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White September’s third Extraordinary Congress in e-commerce world.” House holding a letter rescinding the United Geneva on remuneration rates; it began with States’ decision to leave the Union, I would a series of discussions on the 2020 Abidjan have smiled politely, but changed the subject. Congress and our future strategy. The groundbreaking decision has enabled us Throughout this year, my goal has been to Celebrations of our rich history were another to uphold the single postal territory and to travel the world and to listen to the wise build much needed momentum for Abidjan voices of the Universal Postal Union’s defining aspect of 2019. This year, we th 2020 and the new cycle ahead. stakeholders. celebrated our 145 anniversary and World Post Day’s 50th anniversary. Our chosen As this momentous year closes, we all look to theme was “Delivering Development”. The experience was a physically draining one, our families. My family – this treasured union As I said in my statement for the anniversary, but worthwhile. I found these conversations of colleagues – is also here in Berne. With this “In the last 145 years, we have seen many both immensely rewarding and truly in mind, I want to thank my dedicated staff for transformations, but the breakneck pace of inspirational. Meetings with the heads of their immense efforts in making 2019 a year today’s change is such that postal operators postal operators, their wonderful staff, that will live long in our collective memories. are redefining their role within the new digital ministers and the heads of governments Thank you. strengthened my view that our vision for a economy and the e-commerce world.” postal future is a powerful one. Bishar A. Hussein To ensure celebrations were meaningful, we Director General, Universal Postal Union Every single one of these meetings and went back to the earliest beginnings of the conversations was put to good use. During UPU and held a breakfast with many of our our regional strategy forums in Bangkok, 22 founding members in the place where the Ouagadougou, Havana, Minsk, Sharm El Treaty of Berne was signed 145 years ago.

6 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 EDITOR’S NOTE ENDING ON A HIGH NOTE

The Director General couldn’t have said it better when he called 2019 a year to remember.

It has been a true pleasure to report on the challenges faced and eventual successes achieved by the Union in 2019. Now we can sit back, reflect on and take a moment to celebrate all that 2019 had to offer as we close this chapter and move onto the next. Our last issue of the year is meant to do just that, taking a special focus on the celebration of UPU’s 145th anniversary.

Within these pages, readers will learn about the UPU’s rich 145-year history. They will have a chance to read about how this Union has transformed the international postal sector during its near century and a half of existence. This magazine presents in print the timeline now featured on the wall of the International Bureau’s Heinrich von Stephan hall, where members chart the UPU’s future path during its council meetings. Our cover story on the anniversary celebrations should help even those who could not be with us feel like they were a part of the anniversary events.

I wish you happy reading and a happy and healthy start to 2020.

Kayla Redstone, Editor-in-chief

7 SNAPSHOT HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UPU!

“Since 1874, the Universal Postal Union has played a dynamic role in developing and sustaining the international postal sector. Today, this work goes well beyond delivering mail. The world’s 600,000 post offices are an extensive network that connect people and help to advance financial inclusion, an important spur towards ending poverty and encouraging economic growth. The sector is also part of the vital underpinning of globalization, demonstrating, as “One world. One postal network”, the benefits of international cooperation. On World Post Day, I congratulate the UPU on its 145th anniversary and look forward to the Photo: United Nations, continued contributions of the world’s postal networks as we strive together to achieve the New York Sustainable Development Goals.”

António Guterres, UN Secretary General

“With honour we are celebrating the 145th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, which started its journey with 22 founding members, including our country, and today has turned into an excellent network encompassing the whole world…

We believe that our activities will continue to expand and develop and we express our sincere congratulations on the 145th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union.”

Kenan Bozgeyik, Chairman, UPU Council of Administration and Chairman of the Board and Director General, Turkish Post

Photo: Turkish Post

“I would like to extend a special congratulatory message to the Director General and his team at the UPU [secretariat] for their tireless efforts and strong leadership in steering the ship over the years and making sure this great Union stays together as one big family, in spite of the many challenges the postal world, and the Union, have faced in recent times.

SALPOST says congratulations to you and well done!”

Brima Katta, Managing Director, Sierra Leone Postal Services (SALPOST) Ltd.

Photo: SALPOST

MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UPU!

Stakeholders shared many congratulatory messages on the Union’s 145th anniversary throughout 2019. The following are some of the well wishes the UPU Director General received this year.

“The General Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs of Panama and its employees wish to congratulate you and the UPU International Bureau staff on the celebration of World Post Day and the UPU’s 145th birthday.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the organization as a whole for its efforts in ensuring the success of the third Extraordinary Congress and maintaining the unity and strength of the global postal network for the Union’s 192 member countries.”

Julio Ramirez Reina, Director General, Ministry of Government, General Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs, Panama Photo: correospanama.gob.pa

“Please accept my sincere congratulations on a professional holiday – World Post Day – and on the 145th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union!

A postal industry plays a major role in the modern world, remaining in high-demand and an effective means of communication between people, as well as being an essential part of the economic and social infrastructure of a state. Post connects the production and consumption of goods and services, supports both manufacturers and consumers, and thereby has an impact on the economy, governance, business development and human well-being.”

Photo: www.mpt.gov.by Kanstantsin Shulhan, Minister of Communications and Informatization, Belarus

“Post is a basic channel that facilitates international trade flow, an artery that transmits global information, and a bridge that promotes the engagements among the people in various countries. Over the past 145 years, the UPU has made remarkable accomplishments in coordinating international postal services, promoting multilateral postal cooperation, and formulating standards and principles for the development of global postal economy and has also made important contributions to promoting global socioeconomic development and cultural exchanges among countries.”

MA Junsheng, Director General, State Post Bureau of the People’s Republic of China

Photo: www.jqknews.com

UNION POSTALE Adding VALUE to every CALL FOR country’s economy. PROJECTS

The UPU’s Financial Inclusion Technical Assistance Facility (FITAF) is looking to help countries leverage the digitization of postal financial services to advance financial inclusion around the globe.

FITAF, a UPU-led initiative in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Project proposals Visa Inc., focuses on advancing financial inclusion are due by by providing technical assistance and financial resources to postal operators so that they can provide accessible and relevant digital financial 28 February 2020 services (DFS), primarily mobile payments, through their networks.

FITAF will support projects submitted with digitization activities that fall within four categories:

Development of a digital financial services (DFS) strategy;

Provision of DFS as an agent, in partnership or through own products;

Improvement and diversification of current DFS offerings;

Other (must encompass both financial inclusion and digitization of financial services).

To learn more about the application process, visit www.upu.int/en/FITAF WITHSTANDING THE TEST OF TIME Withstanding Sir Rowland Hill 1837 proposes an adhesive stamp to indicate the test of time pre-payment of postage to simplify The Post has existed for many centuries, British postage rates. but the UPU’s founding 145 years Sir Rowland Hill ago created the first truly global postal network. A timeline of events leading up The Penny Black is to the UPU’s creation and continuing on to 1840 the world’s first adhesive postage stamp used the present day marks important events in a public postal system. throughout postal history, demonstrating It is first issued in Great Britain on 1 May 1840, the profound effect the Union has had on but is not valid for use the sector’s development. until 6 May. The stamp features Queen Victoria’s profile. The cursus publicus. The first well-documented 27−14 postal service operates in Rome: the cursus The first BC publicus. Emperor Augustus establishes an International postal money order. international postal money order service is created imperial postal service responsible for official and 1854 to allow British troops fighting in the Crimean War administrative exchanges within the Roman Empire, to transfer money back home. as a means of unifying its vast territory.

Montgomery Blair, TH Thurn und Taxis. 1862 Postmaster General of the 16 Throughout the 16th century, United States of America, CENTURY the Thurn und Taxis dynasty suggests a conference at is the imperial courier of the which the different Posts Holy Roman Empire and in would be represented the Spanish Netherlands, by delegates who could Spain, and Burgundy. Thurn discuss improvements und Taxis develops an and simplifications. Montgomery Blair international postal service which can “convey private Thurn und Taxis correspondence 11 May. The International Postal Commission and individuals against 1863 holds its first meeting at the Paris Postal suitable payment”. Conference, where delegates from 15 European and American countries lay down a number of general principles for mutual agreements and TH The first international postal treaty consists stress the need to establish an international 17 of bilateral agreements governing the transit of mail postal treaty on a common basis. CENTURY among European countries.

Heinrich von Stephan. Beat Fischer von 1868 The official journal of the 1675 Reichenbach is the postal administration founder of the post office of the North German in the Republic of Berne. Confederation publishes In 1675, he is granted a a memorandum in 25-year licence by the which Heinrich von Bernese state to operate a Stephan, Senior Privy post and courier service. Councillor of Posts, Heinrich He expands the Bernese describes the basic von Stephan Post to make it one of the Beat Fischer features of a plan for von Reichenbach fastest postal services in “a postal union among Europe, and, in 1680, is all civilized nations” and granted a knighthood by proposes submitting Emperor Leopold I of the this plan to a universal Holy Roman Empire. congress for discussion.

UNION POSTALE 11 #UPU145

Henri Péquet. 1911 The French pilot Henri Péquet (1888–1974) carries the first official airmail. The flight occurs in India. Péquet carries a sack with about 6,500 pieces of official mail on his Humber biplane. The plane flies a distance of 10 kilometres in 27 minutes, from Allahabad to Naini. 9 October. The General Postal Union 1874 is established when 22 countries attending a plenipotentiary conference Small packets. The ninth Universal Postal sign the Treaty of Berne. The treaty 1929 Congress in London creates the small packet succeeds in unifying a complex maze service. of postal services and regulations into a single postal territory. During this th first Postal Congress, the International Council of Administration. At the 12 Congress Bureau, operating under the supervision 1947 in Paris, the Executive and Liaison Committee is of the Swiss Confederation, is created created; this later becomes the Executive Council. to provide the secretariat for the new It is now known as the Council of Administration. General Postal Union. United Nations. The international 1948 The UPU becomes a 1906 reply coupon (IRC) specialized agency of is created. An IRC can the United Nations. be exchanged for The UPU contributes one or more postage to the development stamps representing of UN policies and the minimum postage activities that have for an unregistered a direct link with its priority airmail letter mandate and mission of up to 20 grammes to promote social and sent to another UPU economic development, member country. including the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UPU Monument is unveiled in the Kleine 1909 Schanze park in Berne. The bronze and granite statue standing 10 metres high and 40 metres The Brussels Congress grants free postage to wide is the work of French sculptor René de 1952 literature for the blind. This Congress also sees the Saint-Marceaux, a member of the Paris Académie introduction of simultaneous interpretation for the des Beaux-Arts. He is chosen to execute the work benefit of delegates; previously all UPU meetings following an international competition organized were conducted solely in French. by the Swiss Government on the theme “Around the World”. The sculpture depicts five messengers representing the five continents, passing letters Postal Operations Council. The Ottawa around the globe. 1957 Congress creates the Consultative Committee for Postal Studies, the forerunner to today’s Postal Operations Council.

At the Vienna Congress, the UPU Acts 1964 are restructured with a new Constitution, General Regulations, Convention and Detailed Regulations. Congress also creates the language group system, enabling member countries to organize translation of Union publications into languages other than French.

12 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 WITHSTANDING THE TEST OF TIME

World Post Day. During the Tokyo Congress, The Bucharest 1969 the UPU adopts 9 October – the anniversary 2004 Congress creates of its founding – as World Post Day. Since then, the Consultative countries across the world have participated Committee to in annual celebrations. The same Congress represent the also introduces the system of terminal dues interests of the for remunerating destination Posts for the broader international processing and delivery of international mail. postal sector within The Bucharest Congress the UPU.

.POST, the UPU’s own 2005 sponsored top-level Internet domain for the postal industry, is approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. It is one of the most secure top-level domains in existence. The current International Bureau building 1970 in the Murifeld district of Berne is inaugurated. The first annual inventory of greenhouse gas 2009 emissions from postal activities of designated operators is undertaken by the UPU. The UPU’s 1971 International Letter- Writing Competition GMS. The Global Monitoring is launched. Since 2010 System, a state-of-the-art then, millions of young measurement system to assess people across the quality of service for member world, aged 15 or under, countries, is launched. have participated. The UPU starts producing detailed individual 2013 reports on greenhouse gas emissions, providing At the Lausanne Congress, the power to elect an accurate overview of each designated 1974 the Director General and Deputy Director operator’s situation, as well as qualitative General is transferred to Congress for the information on potential reduction measures. first time. To mark thecentenary of the UPU, numerous member countries issue special stamps. OSCAR.post 2016 is created, an online tool The firstUPU world which enables 1989 postal strategy, UPU designated operators which provides a basis to calculate and analyze their for the organization’s carbon footprints, in order to identify programme and budget, emission reduction measures. is adopted at the Washington Congress. The UPU’s 145th year concluded with a victory 2019 for the Union, as it reached an agreement on postal remuneration rates by acclamation during The Postal Technology Centre is created to the third Extraordinary Congress in Geneva. 1993 develop new technological tools for the benefit of the UPU member Posts.

The EMS Cooperative is 1999 formed. EMS is an express mail service for documents and merchandise offered by the UPU postal operators, connecting more than 180 countries and territories worldwide.

Official White House Photo, Shealah Craighead

UNION POSTALE 13 COVER STORY

145 YEARS OF DELIVERING DEVELOPMENT TEXT: Kayla Redstone & David Dadge

14 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 145 YEARS OF DELIVERING DEVELOPMENT

The 145th anniversary of the UPU was a cause for yearlong celebrations at the organization’s home base in Berne, Switzerland.

Photo: Ivan Steiner

UNION POSTALE 15 COVER STORY

In his message to member countries on the With this in mind, the UPU launched its anniversary, UPU Director General Bishar A. “The UPU is a byword for anniversary celebrations by looking to the Hussein reinforced the UPU’s role and future, inaugurating a special wall and relevance in the modern postal sector, postal innovation and staircase design displaying the 17 sustainable stating, “The UPU is a byword for postal creativity, and our influence development goals (SDGs) at its innovation and creativity, and our influence on the postal sector is headquarters. on the postal sector is acknowledged throughout the world.” acknowledged throughout The wall, located in the building’s Beat Fischer the world.” room, displays the icons of each of the “In the last 145 years, we have seen many 17 goals on canvass extending from floor to transformations, but the breakneck pace of ceiling. Each of the eight floors in the today’s change is such that postal operators building’s main stairwell features the 17 goals are redefining their role within the new digital Celebrating the past while in a different language – each of the six UN economy and the e-commerce world,” he looking forward official languages, as well as Portuguese and added. German. The unveiling ceremony took place Ceremony to unveil an SDG wall, on 1 May, led by UPU Deputy Director For this reason, the UPU chose “Delivering 1 May 2019 General Pascal Clivaz in the presence of the Development” as the theme for organization’s staff. Mr Clivaz reminded staff th An important part of UPU’s 145-year history commemorating its 145 year. The of the important contribution the UPU was was its inclusion in the United Nations family organization called together stakeholders making to achieve the SDGs. from member countries, the diplomatic as a specialized agency in 1948. Since then, corps, Swiss institutions and its own staff for a the UPU has contributed to the development “Every day the postal network is supporting series of events celebrating the organization’s of UN policies and activities, including by businesses and consumers, addressing the commitment to transforming the global helping to achieve the 2030 Agenda for need for rural infrastructure and postal sector since 1874. Sustainable Development through postal development, and enabling health workers to sector activities. reach out to disabled people. All of these activities are helping to achieve the 2030 Agenda,” he said. KR

16 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARDPhoto: Alexandre SINCE Plattet 1875 Photo: Mark Prosser

A family tree “Such a tree is a fitting motif for the UPU’s own 145-year history and the emphasis we Tree-planting ceremony, place on communication, and on building 21 May 2019 cooperation globally,” Mr Clivaz said. The second event of the year took place later Ahead of the planting, guests were treated to in May, bringing together representatives a special interlude on the post horn played by of the diplomatic community, local Felix Peijnenborgh from the University of the government, heads of intergovernmental Arts Bern. The brass instrument was organizations and staff in the UPU garden historically used to signal the arrival of mail to plant a linden tree. coaches. KR The UPU Deputy Director General opened the ceremony with an introduction about the symbolic planting ceremony. “Such a tree is a fitting “The linden tree we plant today, has a long motif for the UPU’s own association with the international postal 145-year history and the sector, and in particular, letter writing,” said Mr Clivaz. emphasis we place on communication, and on He explained that people had long ago used the tree’s pliable bark for writing letters, the building cooperation tree would therefore represent the history of globally” the Post. The sapling’s growth would come to represent the growth and evolution of the fast-changing postal sector.

UNION POSTALE Photo: Mark17 Prosser COVER STORY

Photo: Ivan Steiner

18 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 145 YEARS OF DELIVERING DEVELOPMENT

Photo: Ivan Steiner

Going back to our roots that the true nature of our relationship is one He concluded by recognizing the important of service to you.” role played by member countries in the life of Founders’ breakfast, the UPU, “None of this would be possible 9 October 2019 Building on this sense of history, Mr Clivaz without the continuing desire of countries to told the audience the Post’s story was one of support and promote multilateral Sadly, there is no known photograph revolution not simply evolution. He described of the representatives of the 22 founding approaches where global responses are how the UPU and Posts had always managed needed.” member countries signing the Treaty of to adapt to new technologies. “We adapted, Berne on 9 October 1874. A signing when sorting by hand gave way to Mr Clivaz’s speech was followed by a musical ceremony that took place in a stately room automated sorting machines; we adapted interlude when local pianist Matthieu Torvato that today forms part of the restaurant Zum when handwritten ledgers gave way to played a series of songs connected to the Äusseren Stand in Berne. If there were such a computers. We have stood the test of time postal industry, including “Signed, Sealed, photograph, it would be sepia toned and and the numerous tests of our industry,” Delivered, I’m Yours,” a soul tune by slightly faded, but it would show the faces of he said. American artist Stevie Wonder. Mr Clivaz also a group of individuals who knew they were toasted the UPU with Mr Torvato playing the making history. st Describing the UPU of the 21 Century, traditional song of “Happy Birthday to you” Mr Clivaz noted, “Today, we are helping Posts The treaty not only created the General in the background. to redefine themselves in the age of the Postal Union, later to become the Universal digital economy and the e-commerce world. Afterwards, the diplomats returned to Postal Union, it ushered in the beginnings of Due to our numerous projects and the headquarters of the UPU to celebrate the universal service obligation and the programmes, we are assisting both World Post Day. DD international postal network that we know developed and developing countries.” and trust today. We tried to capture that sense of history on 9 October 2019 when we returned to the restaurant for a special breakfast with diplomats representing many “None of this would of the 22 member countries who founded be possible without the Union. the continuing desire The breakfast’s aim was to thank the of countries to support international community for their generous support over the decades. As the Deputy and promote multilateral Director General, Pascal Clivaz, of the UPU approaches where global said in his opening remarks, “I know that it responses are needed” was the Universal Postal Union that invited you to this breakfast, but I want you to know Photo: Ivan Steiner

UNION POSTALE 19 COVER STORY

How the Universal Postal Union stood the test of time

An extract from the speech of the Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz at the breakfast on the 145th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, 9 October 2019.

“The story of the mail is one of constant change, of revolution, not simply evolution. Over the centuries communications have varied, embracing telegraph, telex and fax, and now Internet and email, but the Post has been a constant.

The UPU and the Post have always adapted and embraced new technologies. We adapted when horses gave way to motorized vehicles; we adapted when sorting by hand gave way to automated sorting machines; we adapted when handwritten ledgers gave way to computers. We have stood the test of time and the numerous tests of our industry.

Throughout all of these changes, we have remained relevant. Today, we are helping Posts to redefine themselves in the age of the digital economy and the e-commerce world. Due to our numerous projects and programmes, we are assisting both developed and developing countries.

We assist in these efforts through the delivery of numerous projects and programmes that help both developed and developing countries. Projects and programmes such as .POST, or Ecom@Africa, or our Global Monitoring System, or OSCAR, which enables postal operators to calculate and analyze their carbon footprints.

Projects such as EMS, offering an express mail service around the world, or our world-beating Postal Technology Centre that is busily creating new tools and services for postal operators. As a UN specialized agency, we also ensure that the postal network is recognized as an engine for development.

Indeed, the theme of this year’s World Post Day is ‘Delivering Development’ as it captures our ceaseless search to find new and innovative ways to deliver value to the international postal network.”

Photo: Ivan Steiner 20 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 145 YEARS OF DELIVERING DEVELOPMENT

Celebrating excellence inaugurate a time wall encapsulating UPU’s 145-year history, which is now mounted in the Delivering World Post Day Ceremony, meeting hall. 9 October 2019 development The event closed out with an awards The year’s events culminated with the UPU’s ceremony recognizing the top ranking is delivering annual World Post Day ceremony at the countries under the UPU’s 2IPD, a UPU’s International Bureau. comparative index of postal services in progress Member countries attending the 1969 172 countries. Mr Clivaz explained that the Congress declared 9 October as “World Post organization had created the tool as a way of An extract from the Day” to mark the anniversary of the UPU and benchmarking the performance of the global bring awareness to the Post’s role in the postal network. Countries were scored on the UPU Director General everyday lives of the people it serves. This reliability, reach, relevance and resilience of Bishar A. Hussein’s year not only marked the 145th anniversary of their postal networks. the UPU, but also the 50th World Post Day. 2019 World Post Day message, Representatives of member countries, the Chairmen of the Postal Operations Council Representatives of 9 October 2019 and Council of Administration, members of member countries, the the Swiss diplomatic community and UPU staff came together for the event in the Chairmen of the Postal “From manual to mechanized Heinrich von Stephan hall – appropriately Operations Council and operation, the Post continues to named after the very man who initiated the Council of Administration, innovate, using modern technology meeting leading to the UPU’s creation. to optimize sorting and delivery and members of the Swiss improve the supply chain from Mr Clivaz opened the event, reading out diplomatic community and beginning to end. By embracing World Post Day messages from UN Secretary UPU staff came together modern developments such as General António Guterres and UPU Director virtual reality, the Internet of Things, General Bishar A. Hussein before moving on for the event in the blockchain and robotic to a special awards ceremony for the winner Heinrich von Stephan hall – technologies, among others, the of the UPU’s 48th International Letter-Writing Post is today creating greater Competition. appropriately named after flexibility in customer service the very man who initiated through the most advanced This year’s edition of the competition asked the meeting leading to the interfaces. We are now closer to our youth up to the age of 15 to write a letter customers than ever before. about their hero. Benin’s Richemelle Francilia UPU’s creation. Somissou Koukoui, 14, won top prize for a But above all this, the UPU’s original letter to her uncle about her heroic cat. philosophy – to serve humanity, and Although Richemelle could not be present facilitate communication among the for the ceremony, Annick d’Almeida from citizens of the world – remains the Switzerland topped the ranking for a third driving force of the global postal Benin’s Permanent Mission in Geneva year in a row. Swiss Post CEO Roberto Cirillo network. Every other advancement travelled to Berne to collect the winner’s gold collected the country’s award, thanking his and innovation in the Post is geared medal and read her letter to participants. employees who, he said, “do an excellent job towards supporting the very reason day after day and night after night.” UPU Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz for our existence: changing people’s lives for the better. Developing, described Richemelle’s letter as “profound” Netherlands came in second, while Germany and “intimate”, adding that the competition developed and advanced networks ranked third. The Deputy Director General continue to find synergy of purpose had provided a platform to the, “confident, recognized Poland, China (People’s Rep.), to power our single network to articulate voices of children, of youths, of Tunisia, Colombia and Nigeria as regional deliver efficiently and cost- young people from across the world” for champions for standout performance in their effectively around the world. We nearly 50 years. respective regions. continue to deliver as one.”

Following the award, Mr Clivaz joined Postal To end the day, UPU staff regrouped in the Operations Council Chairman Masahiko Heinrich von Stephan foyer for a slice of UPU Metoki, Council of Administration Chairman birthday cake, where Mr Clivaz toasted them Kenan Bozgeyik, and Ms d’Almeida to for their dedication to the organization’s mission to develop the postal sector. KR

UNION POSTALE 21 COVER STORY

It is the message that counts

An extract from the speech of the Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz at the awards ceremony of the International Letter Writing Competition for Young People, 9 October 2019.

Photo: Ivan Steiner “Letters may perhaps seem outdated, but as with all great communications, it is the message that really counts. The Universal Postal Union always was, is, and will forever remain, a communications organization.

For 145 years, we have been delivering messages, often quite literally, but also in ways similar to the one delivered today by Richemelle [the 2019 winner of the International Letter Writing Competition for Young people].

Such work is in the finest traditions of the United Nations, and its efforts on the pillars of peace and security, development the rule of law and human rights. Such aspirations can drive this planet forward, but everyone needs to understand what they mean.

I see Richemelle’s story and the International Letter Writing Competition as a way to humanize, to distil, not Mr Clivaz with the winners of the UPU’s 2019 2IPD ranking Photo: Ivan Steiner just the UN’s work, but our global efforts to improve the lives everyone.

Since the very earliest times, we have told stories around campfires, as we progressed we have sent stories to each other across vast distances of land and water.

Today, we do so electronically from computer to computer, and from mobile phone to mobile phone, but it is still the story that counts. Richemelle, I thank you for your story and I would like to honour you with this prize.”

Photo: Alexandre Plattet

22 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 Matthieu Torvato played “Happy birthday to you” during the breakfast Photo: Alexandre Plattet Photo: Ivan Steiner

Mr Clivaz inaugurating the time wall with Postal Operations Council Chairman Masahiko Metoki, Council of Administration Chairman Kenan Bozgeyik, and Ms d’Almeida Photo: Ivan Steiner

Felix Peijnenborgh playing the post horn Photo: Mark Prosser Photo: Ivan Steiner

UNION POSTALE 23 SNAPSHOT#UPU145

1896 1890 Decision to colour The United Kingdom code stamps comes 1883 launches an 8-day into force, with inland 145 years celebration to mark postcards stamps A steamboat line begins th printed in green, inland carrying mail between the 50 anniversary of postal stamps, exhibiting letters in red and foreign Australia and Britain letters in blue. through the Suez Canal a complete collection of in 145 days on a weekly basis. all postal stamps issued within the previous 1897 A special countdown across the UPU’s 50 years. 1884 The 5th International social media platforms managed to Postal Congress, held in give followers a glimpse of the UPU’s Union Postale writes 1891 Washington, introduces about the journey of The 4th International lower international 145-year history in 145 days. Inuit postal workers in Postal Congress, held postage rates. Greenland, who deliver in Vienna, decides on mail with kayaks along regulations for mail 1898 1874 the coastline. carried by Paquebot 563,346,299 CHF The General Postal 1878 ocean liners. are transferred Union, later renamed 2nd International Postal 1885 through domestic and the Universal Postal Congress in Paris rd The 3 International 1892 29,570,697 through Union, is created on 9 successfully regulates Postal Congress, held October 1874, after the Japan Post introduces the international postal money orders in Lisbon, introduces representatives of 22 parcel delivery into their money order service in and decides to change two new services: countries sign the Treaty postal service. Switzerland during 1898. the name of the General mail collection and of Bern in Switzerland. Postal Union to the international certification Universal Postal Union. of identity.

1879 1886 UPU supports postal Mr Vinchent, the administrators in the person who proposed introduction of Post the creation of the Office Savings Banks, International Bureau, helping to reduce fees passes away. and ease access to financial services. 1887 1880 Germany reports that the total distance 1893 1899 Due to increased 1875 travelled by the mail Mr Edmond Höhn, Mr Eugène Ruffy, demand, postal across its territory was Postmaster in Federal Councillor Mr Eugène Borel, a administrators begin 185,217,311 km. charge of the Swiss and Head of the Swiss member of the Swiss allowing the private sale Federal Council, is postal administration, Military Department, of postage stamps. is appointed as the appointed as the 1888 is appointed as first Director of the the Director of the Director General of the International Bureau 1881 Australia issues its International Bureau International Bureau of first commemorative of the UPU. the UPU. of the General Postal UPU’s network now Union, later called UPU. stamp, celebrating the extends over a total 100th anniversary of the territory of more than founding of New South 1894 1900 80 million km and the 1876 Wales. In 1894, 1.7 billion The Extraordinary organization regulates postcards travelled International Postal Domestic and cooperation with state through UPU member Congress in Berne international money railways. 1889 1897 orders are introduced countries. decides to erect a UPU th for member countries Between 21 and 25 The 5 International monument, honouring belonging to the Union. 1882 December, the mail Postal Congress, held in the establishment of the traffic to and from Washington,1895 introduces Union. Annually, 2 billion London reached lowerThe average international number of 1877 newspapers are moved 50 million items, with postage rates. domestically and 40 days for the delivery of 1901 Newly introduced “United nearly 1.5 million post between London million are moved dispatched to foreign During 1901, Belgian States Postal Guide” internationally by the and Auckland was 33 provides guidance on countries. days via San Francisco, Post grants 259 loans Post across the UPU’s for a total value of making addresses legible territory. 40 via the Orient Line and complete to avoid the and 41 via the Suez 1.5 million francs issue of undeliverable mail. Canal. to help agricultural establishments.

24 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 145 YEARS IN 145 DAYS

1902 1908 Japan Post celebrates 25 years of its entrance Ethiopia joins the 1914 1924 UPU, following the to the Union with th official declaration The 40 anniversary His Majesty King commemorative made by the Ethiopian of the foundation of Gustaf V of Sweden festivities. th government during the the UPU. In 40 years, opens the 8 International 6th International Postal the UPU has spread Postal Congress in the 1903 Congress in Rome in its territory across five Royal Palace in Stockholm. continents and its area is It is synchronized with The Postal Service of the 1906. now 127.6 million square the 50th anniversary Republic of Nicaragua kilometers with 1.6 billion of the UPU. is organized and the 1909 inhabitants. country’s postal territory becomes part of the The inauguration of the monument 1919 international postal 1915 network. Leading the commemorating UPU’s The Swiss Federal Postage stamp prices Postal Service is the foundation takes place. Council appoints rise dramatically during Director General of For the first time, nearly Mr Camille Decoppet, all the governments World War I. To cut Posts, appointed by Federal Councillor of the world unite to costs, British and French the President of the and former President construct the monument occupation forces Republic. of the Swiss Confe- at their common overprint Iranian and deration, to the post of expense. Cameroon postage Director of the UPU. 1904 stamps by adding an additional layer of text The competition 1910 to them. for a monument 1920 commemorating the Turkey launches a direct The 7th International 1925 foundation of the exchange of money orders. Postal Congress, 1916 Mr Evariste Garbani- UPU takes place. The postponed in 1914 The Postal Service of the Herini was appointed Federal Council ratifies owing to World Union of South Africa to the post of Director the Jury’s choice of 1911 War I, meets in Madrid. changes its means of of the UPU | The a model bearing the “Grundriss der It lasted 2 months, postal delivery, e.g. Commission d’Etudes motto “Autour du Postgeschichte decisions were made camel post disappears is created to study Monde” by Mr René de mit besonderer on the organization of entirely, the number ways of simplifying St-Marceaux and invites Berücksichtigung der an international postal of ox carts triples to and accelerating the him to construct the Schweiz” by Albert Stucki cheque service and on 18 instead of 6, and the resolutions of the monument. is the first publication regulations for aerial number of motor cars to contain a complete postal service. previous International rises from 22 to 34. history of Swiss posts, Postal Congress and to 1905 a summary of postal make suitable proposals history and the UPU. 1921 for the upcoming The Spanish Post Office 1917 Congress in Mexico City. launches express mail In addition to French, The Postal Service of the delivery, and accepts German and English, the Union of South Africa domestic mail of 1912 UPU starts publishing prohibited sending 1926 urgent packets, letters, its magazine “L’Union The UPU has 95 food by mail because The Pan-American postcards, commercial Postale” in Spanish. member countries and of the serious damage Postal Congress meets papers, medicines, and colonies with an area it constantly caused to in Mexico City and lasts coin packets for all of 82,400,000 square other postal items. 1922 2 months to revise Spanish cities and towns. km. The postal network the Postal Convention Special Committee for totals 283,607 post of Buenos Aires and the Revision of the Postal offices and 1.3 million 1918 to conclude the 1906 Union Acts meets in postal employees. 30 arrangements about th Throughout the UPU Nice, France to decide 6 International Postal billion postal items are the exchange of money single postal territory, on the definite text of the Congress, the first held forwarded in domestic orders and parcels. in the 20th century, lasts and international owing to the reduction principal Convention and 7 weeks in Rome in the services. of staff caused by the six special Arrangements release of men for presence of the of the UPU. 1927 King and the Queen of military duty during Italy. The first sitting of 1913 World War I, the majority The Hague Postal the Congress was held in of post offices are closed 1923 Conference to examine The Spanish government and the attendance and discuss airmail a picture-gallery of the After a period of deficits chooses 10 September hours are reduced services. The Conference Palazzo Colonna. across nine years, the 1914 as the opening date significantly. decides airmail parcels of the next International Swiss Postal Administration shall not exceed 100 cm 1907 Postal Congress to records a net balance of in length and 50 cm in be held in Madrid. 341,212 CHF due to the the other dimensions. Sea post offices are However, the Congress is increasing letter-post opened on board the postponed because volumes. French fast steamers of the beginning of plying between Le Havre World War I. and New York.

UNION POSTALE 25 #UPU145 1934 1940 th The 10 International In World War II, there 1946 Postal Congress held was postal censorship On 20 March an in Cairo, Egypt. 1928 of civil mail. Lists were agreement about the 1952 created to examine establishment of a Postal th UPU creates the suspicious mail or for The 13 International Preparatory Committee 1935 service between Poland Postal Congress in those whose mail was and the USSR was to meet 6 months before The postal network has Brussels lasts 2 months. to be exempted from concluded. an International Postal inspired great artwork censorship. The Congress brought Congress in order to including Royal Mail AD together all 93 countries examine all the postal Dispatch Rider painted 1947 that constituted UPU. Its proposals received by by British artist and work was to revise the 1941 th the International Bureau. muralist John Armstrong. The 12 International Convention concluded Mobile Post Office for Now displayed in the Postal Congress starts on during the 1947 bombed out areas of postal museum. 7 May in Paris. President Congress in Paris. 1929 London. of the Republic of France The 9th International Vincent Auriol officially 1936 opened the Congress in 1953 Postal Congress is 1942 opened in the House of Postal Inspector is an the Luxembourg Palace. The United States Postal Lords in London. The American crime film by Darwin’s Post Office Service starts piggy after the capital city Congress introduces the American director Otto 1948 back mail service by first airmail regulations Bower. Ricardo Cortez of Australia’s Northern semi-trailers and railroad and innovation in the plays Bill Davis a US Territory was bombed On 1 July, the Universal flatcars for interstate form of small packets federal postal inspector. on 19 February. Postal Union becomes a transportation. with a max of 1 kg. Horror’s own Bela Lugosi specialized agency of the is the baddie attempting United Nations. to steal a shipment of 1943 1954 1930 3 million USD. The Airgraph service, The Arab Postal Union a method of sending The unveiling of the 1949 was founded during mail to soldiers during tablet commemorating The centenary of the the Conference of World War II, reaches the 50th anniversary of 1937 French postage stamp. European Postal and 330 million messages. the UPU’s foundation On 6 May the On 1 January 1849 the Telecommunications takes place in Stockholm. Hindenburg LZ129 French public was invited Administrations. The tablet was created zeppelin exploded at to use the stamp for by the Swedish sculptor Lakehurst New Jersey 1944 the prepayment of the Ivar Johnsson. killing 35. The airship The Argentine-Chile postage on letters. 1955 carried 3,500 passengers Transandes Railway is UPU and UNESCO invite and 29937.096 kg of re-opened after a 10-year member countries to make 1931 freight and mail. interruption. Apart proposals to facilitate free from other economic 7 January, the 100th circulation of information purposes, the 160 km birthday of Heinrich through the Post. long railway was used to von Stephan, Secretary transport mail between of State and Founder the two countries. of UPU. He wrote the 1956 “History of the Prussian Monaco issued stamps Post” and had the idea of to honour the marriage a Universal Postal Union. of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier. 1932 A cover carried on an 1950 1957 inaugural flight in the Dr Fritz Hess is elected As a result of the th Canadian northern as Director of the 13 Congress in Ottawa, woods. The cover has 1938 International Bureau of a contacts committee was a cachet and is franked Mr Reinhold Furrer was UPU. Before, Dr. Hess formed between UPU with both a regular and appointed to the post of was appointed Director and IATA to discuss airline an airmail stamp. Director of the UPU. In of the third District of the schedules, remuneration the same year a stamp Swiss Federal Railways rates for airlines based on 1945 air distances. 1933 featuring King George VI Service and later and Jinja bridge by the Mr Alois Muri, Director Director General of the Between 18 May and Ripon Falls was printed General of the Swiss Swiss PTT. 28 June, the Universal in the East African Postal Post was appointed to 1958 Postal Union Executive Union. the post of Director of UPU participated in the Committee met in the UPU. Phonopost, 1951 creation of a UN pavilion Ottawa to prepare the an experimental postal at the Brussels World’s Fair. th The UN Postal agenda for the 10 UPU 1939 service in Argentina to Administration is Postal Congress to be 11th International Postal record a person’s voice formally inaugurated on held in Cairo in 1934. Congress of UPU held in and deliver the resulting UN Day with its first set Buenos Aires. Britain and recording by mail, of stamps going on sale France declare war on reaches a total of 101,686 that day. Germany. transmitted disks.

26 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 145 YEARS IN 145 DAYS

1959 1984 1976 Last attempt by USPS to The 19th UPU Congress launch missile mail. The 1965 The United States of was held in Hamburg delivery of mail by rocket America celebrates UPU’s Customs 1971 th from 18 June to 27 July. or missile is known as Cooperation Council the 200 anniversary The Congress decided The UPU International astro philately. simplifies and speeds of the adoption of on the definition of Letter-Writing up customs treatment the Declaration of ATM labels: postage Competition is launched. of mail as part of efforts Independence with stamps printed by Since then, millions of 1960 to facilitate international a series of specially electronic stamp vending young people all over Marked the birth of the trade. designed stamps. machines. the world, aged 15 or first mail-out census in under, have participated. the US. 1977 The UPU Special Fund 1972 designed to deliver Tonga joins the training programmes Universal Postal Union carries out a project in on 26 January. the drought stricken Sahel region.

1978 Switzerland’s Post Finance introduces Postomats before banks 1966 first used ATM. 1985 1961 Michel Rahi of Egypt Brazilian Adwaldo becomes the first non- Cardoso Botto de Barros Switzerland’s Eduard 1979 Swiss Director General becomes Director Weber is appointed th of the Universal Postal 18 UPU Congress held General of the Universal Director General of the Union. He served from in Rio de Janeiro. Postal Union. UPU. He served from 1967 to 1973. 1961 to 1966. 1973 1980 1986 Anthony H. Ridge of St. Lucia joins the Aruba issues its first 1962 1967 the United Kingdom is Universal Postal Union stamp. The first mail An emblem based on appointed to take over Asian Pacific Postal on 10 July. delivered to the island the UPU monument in from Michel Rahi as Convention comes into came on boats from Berne, is adopted as the Director General force on 1 April and Venezuela or Curaçao. leads to the eventual postal organization’s of the UPU. 1981 official logo. Mail arrived at the formation of the Asian International Year of island’s main port in Pacific Postal Union 1974 Disabled Persons. Oranjestad and was in 1981. One hundred postal collected by the island’s 19671968 The 17th UPU Congress is administrators inform inhabitants. AnUPU emblem membership based on held in Lausanne. UPU that they will issue 1963 theincreased UPU monument from 135 to in special postage stamps Berne,137 with is theadopted admission as the of ZIP code introduced to mark the occasion. 1987 in the US to give postalBotswana organization’s on 12 January A number Ireland’s Deirdre Clancy the impression of officialand the thenlogo. Southern of administrators wins the International speed and efficiency Yemen on 28 June. announce plans to Letter-Writing (“zipping” along). USPS support disabled people Competition for her introduced Mr. Zip, a at post offices. letter to a homeless friendly looking cartoon 1969 child. It was the 2nd year character who gave th The 16 UPU Congress running that Ireland had personality to the ZIP held in Japan declares 1982 won the competition. In Code campaign. 9 October to be World USPS inaugurates 1986, 15 year-old Richard Post Day. Electronic Computer Nash won. originated Mail Service 1964 (E-com) and the The 15th UPU Congress 1970 1975 e-commerce era begins. 1988 is held in Vienna. New headquarters Egyptian Mohamed Admission of Saint It introduces the at Weltpoststrasse is Ibrahim Sobhi becomes Kitts and Nevis to the Constitution of the officially inaugurated. 1983 Director General of the Universal Postal Union. UPU on 10 July “With UPU asks member Universal Postal Union. 1983 is declared a view to developing countries to issue by the UN General communications postage stamps to Assembly to be World 1989 between peoples by the commemorate this Communications Year. The 20th UPU Congress is efficient operation of the historic event. held in Washington D.C., postal services.” United States.

27 #UPU145

1990 2008 First anniversary of 2002 The 2008 Congress the Berlin wall coming held in Geneva agrees 2014 down. Here is one of 1996 The Council of to develop a global the stamps issued to Administration decides UPU and IOM sign a Responding to a monitoring system four-year partnership celebrate this event. that Congress should be for the quality of changing postal held every 4, rather than deal with Burundi Post, environment, the UPU international postal launching a pilot project 5, years to increase the services. 1991 and World Bank work efficiency and speed of to stimulate the country’s together to study postal development. UPU increases its decision-making. sector reform. presence in the field, 2009 recruiting 6 regional 2003 ICANN grants UPU 2015 advisers – now known 1997 the rights to the .post as regional project The International UPU and UN Women UPU holds a first of its top-level domain. coordinators. Bureau introduces partner to empower kind postal strategy UPU*Clearing, an online women through the conference at the UN international clearing 2010 postal network. A joint Geneva to discuss 1992 system that is still used report between the “Postal Vision 2005” for UPU launches an HIV The UPU Executive today. organizations finds the new Millennium. prevention campaign Council makes the with UNAIDS, ILO and that the Post could be monitoring of aviation an important driver of 2004 UNI Global Union. Posts and mail security issues a 1998 around the globe join female financial inclusion. permanent activity of the The Bucharest Congress The UPU’s Postal the campaign, launching Union. decides to create a programmes for staff Operations Council Consultative Committee 2016 approves the creation of and the public. representing the The 26th Universal Postal the EMS Cooperative to 1993 interests of wider postal Congress is held in safeguard and develop USPS supplies UPU with sector players. 2011 Istanbul, where member the Express Mail Service. a Marketing Analysis The Gates Foundation countries decide on Information System to awards UPU a grant reform measures to help member countries 1999 to finance studies on increase the efficiency track competition, of UPU. For the first time, financial inclusion target markets and through the Post. information to improve stakeholders such as the marketing of postal private postal operators, 2017 customer groups and products. 2012 UPU launches its first- postal equipment ever ranking of postal UPU hosts its first manufacturers, are development, known Ministerial Conference 1994 invited to the Universal as the Integrated Index Postal Congress, which during the 2012 The 1994 Seoul Congress for Postal Development took place in Beijing. Congress in Doha, establishes UPU’s Council (2IPD). calling together some of Administration and 60 ministers to discuss Postal Operations 2000 2005 the Posts role in Council. 2018 The Council of national socioeconomic France’s Edouard Dayan Member countries meet Administration takes over the role of development. sets principles and at the Extraordinary Director General of Congress in Addis obligations for providing the UPU following his universal postal services, Ababa to take pressing election during the 2004 decisions related covering quality, access, Bucharest Congress. customer satisfaction, to postal sector speed, reliability, security development and and treatment of 2006 sustainability of the UPU. inquiries. It is only the second in UPU hosts an the UPU’s history. international forum on 2001 RFID technology at its headquarters in Berne. 2019 UPU launches its Quality th of Service Fund to The UPU’s 145 year 1995 finance projects aimed 2007 concluded with a victory at improving the speed, for the Union, as it Thomas Leavey of the UPU and WCO sign a reliability and security of 2013 reached an agreement United States assumes cooperation agreement postal services. on postal remuneration the duty of UPU focused on facilitating Kenya’s Bishar A. Hussein rates by acclamation Director General. He was free and secure trade. becomes Director during the third elected during the 1994 General of UPU after Extraordinary Seoul Congress. being elected during the Congress in Geneva. 2012 Doha Congress.

28 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 PHILATELY

One hundred and forty-five years ago, 22 countries came together to change the postal sector. They worked together Commemorating to facilitate the exchange of mail around the world, signing the Treaty of Berne to create a single postal territory. Since then, 170 new the UPU in colour countries have joined that single postal territory and the UPU has become an essential coordinator for the global Postal customers around the world had the chance postal system. th to join in on the UPU’s 145 anniversary celebrations To celebrate the Union’s foundation, the UPU with the release of a special commemorative released a special stamp design for the organization’s member countries. stamp design. When designing the stamp, the UPU’s TEXT: Sonja Denovski Graphic Arts Unit sought to embrace both the organization’s rich history as well as its forward-looking spirit.

The central image featured on the stamp is the UPU monument created by the French Photo: Freepik sculptor René de Saint-Marceaux, which was erected in Berne’s “Kleine Schanze” park in 1909. This beautiful sculpture depicts messengers representing the five world continents – the Americas, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africa – exchanging letters between themselves, symbolizing the universal mission of the UPU: international postal communication. The sculpture later became the inspiration for the UPU’s official emblem.

The emblem, representing the UPU’s history in the design, is overlaid with the colours of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) for 2030, adopted by all UN members in 2015. As a UN specialized

UPU commemorative stamp issued by Sri Lanka agency, the UPU and its member countries play a crucial role in fostering the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sir Rowland Hill’s invention of the adhesive was retired from sale, the famous Penny Black through the postal sector. The vibrant colour postage stamp in 1840 was originally a part became the model for a sector-wide solution palette used to represent the 17 SDGs exude of Britain’s postal reform, but later spread for exchanging written communications. the positive spirit of those around the world around the globe. working to achieve them. The same colours As the use of postage stamps spread joined in the background of the UPU Before Hill’s invention, every single piece rapidly around the world, they quickly anniversary stamp represent the UPU’s own of post was hand-stamped or marked with became a medium for honouring important devotion to build a more sustainable future. ink. Recipients previously paid for the delivery events and people. The first commemorative of their mail, which meant they could refuse stamp, released in 1888, marked the The UPU invited Posts to release the joint to accept it and the Post would lose money. 100th anniversary of the founding of New commemorative stamp with the possibility Hill’s Penny Black stamp introduced South Wales in Australia. of adapting the design with their name and pre-payment and uniform postage rates postage value. Posts in 13 countries – charged by weight. Soon after, many chose Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, to send their letters in envelopes with Fast forward Iraq, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Myanmar, Russia, pre-paid stamps. Posts today continue to use the tiny, adhesive Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, and Ukraine – pieces of paper to commemorate special chose to honour the UPU by issuing with the With 60,000 copies printed in the first year, events, including the 145th anniversary of unique philatelic creation that looks towards and 70 million copies printed when the stamp the Universal Postal Union. an ever-brighter future. SD

UNION POSTALE 29 PHILATELY

Karl Bickel Born in 1886, Karl Bickel was a Swiss painter, Immortalizing art illustrator and designer whose specialty was copper engraved postage stamps. More than 100 of his works were created for his biggest customer, the Swiss Post, including the first air through stamps stamp, issued in 1923. His work reached an international audience, with more than 11 billion copies of his stamp designs in Anyone who has ever visited the UPU’s circulation. The mastery of his art is shown International Bureau in Berne, Switzerland, has through the various portraits, landscapes and images of innovations he created for his probably taken note of the beautiful works of art homeland.

throughout its halls, gifted by member countries. An artwork with his signature was given to the UPU by the Swiss authorities in 1924 Some of the artists featured there also have a for the 50th anniversary of the establishment unique connection to the philatelic world. of the Union. The comprehensive copper etching reproduced in black ink presents the UPU’s monument in Berne, created by French TEXT: Sonja Denovski sculptor René de Saint-Marceaux and erected in 1909.

1. Bickel’s very first collection consisted of a set of ten air stamps and was issued by Switzerland in 1923.

3.

2. 4. 1. Marko Čelebonović working on a painting later given to the UPU (source Wikipedia); 2. A postage stamp issued in 1953 featuring Marko Čelebonović’s painting; 3. Karl Bickel’s copper etching given to the UPU in 1923; 4. Bikel’s air stamp; 5. Chughtai’s portrait of the Mughal princess; 6. The 1 Re stamp; 7. Sèvres porcelain vase; 8. Postage stamp commemorating 200th anniversary of the Sèvres factory’s founding

30 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 IMMORTALIZING ART THROUGH STAMPS

Marko Čelebonović Abdur Rahman Chughtai Sèvres porcelain Marko Čelebonović was one of Serbia’s most Abdur Rahman Chughtai’s distinctive style In the 18th century, porcelain was considered prominent painters. Born in 1902 in Belgrade, was influenced by a variety of sources, a highly prized commodity around the world. he later settled down in France. His affinity for including Mughal art, Islamic calligraphy, Much of Europe’s porcelain at the time came creation led him to study under Antoine miniaturist painting and Art Nouveau. Born in from a well-known French manufacturer, the Bourdelle, a former student of Auguste Rodin 1897 in Punjab, he is considered one of the “Manufacture nationale de Sèvres”. and a teacher of Henri Matisse and Alberto most important Islamic artists of the early Giacometti. Čelebonović’s painting style 20th century, receiving the Presidential The famous pottery originated from the transformed through several phases, starting Medal for Pride of Performance from French Vincennes factory, which had enjoyed with drawings produced in the 1920s, the Government of Pakistan in 1958. The a privileged status thanks to financial support modernist art in the 1930s, colourful creations “Chughtai Art Set”, a set of 9 postage stamps from King Louis XV and Madame de between the 1950s and 1960s and “white” he designed for Pakistan’s Independence Pompadour. By 1756 the Vicennes premises paintings produced during last two decades Day in 1951, were considered the most was too small to cope with growing requests of his life. beautiful stamps in the world at that time. and a new factory was built in the village of Sèvres. Technical and artistic innovations His oil on canvas from 1952 capturing the In the 1953, the Government of Pakistan gave throughout the 19th and 20th centuries back of the basilica in Sveti Stefan a watercolour portrait of the Mughal princess helped the brand stand the test of time and (Montenegro) was given to the UPU by the painted by Chughtai to the UPU. the manufacturer still produces high quality former Yugoslav authorities in 1955. porcelain to this day. The 1 Re stamp engraved with an Urdu A set of six commemorative postage stamps inscription reading “Long Live Pakistan” was A beautiful porcelain vase covered with titled “Art in Yugoslavia through centuries” the first indigenous Pakistani stamp and cobalt blue lapis under glossy gold lustre, and issued in 1973 featured his painting belonged to a four-piece set issued in 1948. created by French sculptor Henri Lagriffoul “Woman and head”. and manufactured in Sèvres was given to the UPU by the French authorities in 1953.

5. France has even issued a postage stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Sèvres factory’s founding. The stamp was designed by Pierre Munier in 1957. SD

7.

6. 8.

UNION POSTALE 31 FEATURE

International Letter-Writing Competition winner visits UPU

TEXT: Olena Muravyova PHOTOS: Sophia Bennett

Fourteen-year-old Richemelle Francilia Somissou Koukoui travelled from Benin to Berne to celebrate her gold win in the UPU’s 2019 International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People.

Richemelle was present for UPU Children’s Day, which brought together International Bureau staff members’ children on 14 November for a series of activities, including a special ceremony for the winner.

The children started the day with a UPU postal quiz, answering a series of challenging multiple-choice questions about postal history.

After the quiz, Richemelle was invited to read her award-winning letter. The 48th edition of the competition asked its young participants to write a letter about their hero. She dedicated her letter about her real-life hero: her cat Xèviosso.

“My beloved uncle… you have often teased me about inventing stories, often asked me with a smile why I didn’t choose a hero from our country’s or our world’s history. As I grow older, I’m beginning to think that you were right... I am delighted to tell you that I have another hero in my life, in my mind, and in my heart. He is even in my house! His name is Xèviosso, and he is our cat,” she wrote.

In her letter, Richemelle describes Xèviosso’s heroic deeds and adventures, from protecting her family’s chicken from a hawk, to saving her from a snake that had snuck into her room while she was sleeping.

“Uncle, do you see now why I am proud to say that my hero is our precious cat Xèviosso? This cat very much deserves all the superlatives and positive accolades afforded to him.”

32 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 INTERNATIONAL LETTER-WRITING COMPETITION WINNER VISITS UPU

Azerbaijan’s Leyla Dadashova, 14 years old, took third place in the competition. She wrote her letter to the late English theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, calling him her life’s teacher and hero.

“The teacher is like a candle; it melts and gives others light. You were my teacher. Not only mine but also millions with your writings. You have been the sun of many of those lost in dark space,” she writes.

In her letter, Leyla expresses her gratitude to Stephen Hawking for all the important lessons he taught her, even though they never had and never would meet in person.

“Of course, when I was writing this letter, I knew that it [would] never reach [its] owner. But I believed, hoped, worked, and waited for a miracle… Exactly like you.”

About the International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People Ambassador of Benin to the United Nations Every year, millions of young people all over and other international organizations in “I would like to dedicate the world participate in the International Geneva and Vienna, Eloi Laourou, also took Letter-Writing Competition at the national part in the day. He congratulated Richemelle this medal to my country and international levels. It encourages on winning the contest’s top prize and Benin and, in particular, to literacy in children and develops their skills in presented her with the gold medal. women.” composition. The contest also makes them “I would like to encourage young people in aware of the important role postal services Africa and all around the world to follow this play in our world. track. I would like to thank the entire team of She ended her tour of the IB with a visit to Speaking about the role of the competition the UPU for this great initiative,” the the building’s sixth floor, where she hung on World Post Day, Mr Clivaz said, “These Ambassador said. her framed letter on a special wall letters are imbued with love, with passion, commemorating the competition’s winning with the energy of youth. They are the Upon receiving her prize, Richemelle said, letters dating back to its launch in 1971. “I would like to dedicate this medal to my confident, articulate voices of children, of country Benin and, in particular, to women.” Silver and bronze medallists youths, of young people from across the world. Wherever they are from, each winner Following the ceremony, the winner rejoined A letter from 11-year-old Alana Sacarello has found something that, instinctively, the group of children for workshops on from Gibraltar came second in the contest. speaks to us all… I must admit to feeling letter-writing and philately, as well as tours of Alana wrote about Greta Thunberg, a 16 year empowered by the voices of young people. the Postal Technology Centre and the UPU old Swedish environmental activist. Alana Their words invite me to see the world afresh Print Shop. herself has been active in promoting and they encourage me to believe that we awareness of environmental issues can do better, much better.” Later in the day, Richemelle, her parents and among her peers. Ambassador Laorou met with UPU Deputy The 49th International Letter-Writing Director General Pascal Clivaz. The Deputy Alana writes, “Greta is so brave and Competition asks children to “Write a congratulated Richemelle on her success in courageous and she does it because she message to an adult about the world we live the competition, which he said sees entries cares about our planet, but she doesn’t care in.” The best letter from each country must from more than one million children around about being popular… She has already made be submitted to the International Bureau no the world each year. He said many a change, for example, the EU has said that later than 5 May 2020. OM competition winners had gone on to achieve they will donate millions of euros towards great things in adulthood, presenting her climate action. This is the reason Greta with a book about past competition winners. Thunberg is my hero.” Richemelle presented Mr Clivaz with a wooden figurine of the cat from her letter.

UNION POSTALE 33 FEATURE

Interview with the winner This letter was meant to be imaginary, but of the 2019 International I chose to be open and to share details about Letter-Writing Competition my life, my family, and my culture. I felt the for Young People only way my letter could touch its readers, was to be myself.

Richemelle Francilia Somissou And now your cat is famous! What Koukoui, 14 years old, Benin message would you like to convey to the future ILWC participants? UNESCO calls our generation Knowledge UNION POSTALE : Why did you decide Societies, those which never stop striving for to participate in the International intellectual enrichment. Therefore, I would Letter-Writing Competition? like to encourage the future participants of Richemelle : Inspired by my beloved uncle, the contest to read a lot and to be kings of I have always enjoyed inventing stories. their libraries so that they can gain as much I thought this contest would be a great knowledge as possible. I would also like to opportunity for me to try to tell one of them send them a strong message to persevere to my readers. Even though my stories are always in everything they do because all their mostly fairy tales that are often happening in efforts will be worth it in the end. imaginary places and have characters that do not exist in real life, they always come from Do you have any plans for the future? my heart and portray my feelings. Yes, I have firmly decided that I will become a pediatrician. I even have some experience This year’s theme for the ILWC is with children already because I have two “Write a letter about your hero”. What younger sisters and I often help my parents inspired you to write about your cat? look after them. Taking care of them is not What led me to talk about my cat was largely difficult for me. In fact, it brings me a lot of joy. The the fact that it was my personal story, the one My sisters like it very much when I am reading I had experienced and lived through myself. fairy tales to them before they go to bed. winning I truly believe that we all need heroes who are However, we enjoy inventing our own close to our hearts, someone to look up to, to stories even more. This makes our days more find courage, peace, and wisdom. People vivid and fun. I wish for them to participate letter have different heroes. I did not want to in the International Letter-Writing choose a famous hero from the world’s Competition when they grow up because history or mythology, either from my own I am sure they will also have something dear country Benin or from any other. I chose important to say. OM my own cat. I wanted to describe him and the superpowers I believe he possesses.

34 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875

EVENTS

Looking back at 2019

The UPU’s 145th year was one full of celebration, but also hard work. In addition to celebrating the milestone anniversary, the organization coordinated several successful high-level, strategic events throughout the course of 2019 – the outcomes of which will help set the course of the Union’s future.

Regional Strategy Forums The forums brought together representatives from government, regulatory bodies and 25-25 April 2019, Bangkok, Thailand designated operators to consider each 14-15 June 2019, Ouagadougou, other’s perspectives and examine global Burkina Faso and regional trends affecting the sector. 24-25 June 2019, Havana, Cuba On the sidelines of the forums, the Director 9-10 July 2019, Minsk, Belarus General also met with high-level government 23-24 July 2019, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt representatives, including President of the 12-13 August 2019, San José, Costa Rica Republic of Costa Rica, Mr Carlos Alvarado With the next regular Congress planned for Quesada, to discuss the important role Posts 2020, 2019 was a critical year for collecting could play in the socio-economic feedback on the draft Abidjan World Postal development of their countries Strategy for 2021-2024. Bearing this in mind, and stress the importance of postal reform the UPU’s leadership and its strategy team and modernization efforts. KR travelled to six regions – Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe & CIS, the Arab region and Latin America – to seek the input of member countries. The UPU Director General with Costa Rican President Mr Carlos Alvarado Quesada

36 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 LOOKING BACK AT 2019

UPU third Extraordinary Congress

24-26 September 2019, Geneva, Switzerland

UPU member countries rallied together during the UPU’s third Extraordinary Congress to reach a unanimous agreement on the issue of postal remuneration rates, accepting a proposal to introduce self- declared rates by acclamation.

UPU member countries voted to call the Extraordinary Congress – only the third in UPU’s history, but the second in little more than a year – after several countries raised concerns about cost coverage and market distortions under the rates system decided during the 2016 Istanbul Congress. Among the group of countries was the United States, which had notified the UPU of its intent to withdraw from the Union in October 2019 if a solution to the rates system could not Photo: Olena Muravyova be reached.

The Congress approved a proposal known Following the success of the Extraordinary as “Option V”by acclamation during its UPU World CEO Forum Congress, U.S. President Donald J. Trump second day of discussions. The proposal will invited UPU Director General Bishar see the UPU accelerate rate increases to the 30 September 2019, Amsterdam, A. Hussein to the White House to receive system used to remunerate the delivery of Netherlands a letter revoking the country’s decision inbound international bulky letters and small to withdraw from the Union. KR After the successes of the UPU World CEO packets, phasing in self-declared rates as Forums in Paris, Moscow and Istanbul, the soon as July 2020. forum returned for its fourth edition in 2019. Held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, during the Parcel+Post Expo, the globally recognized event brought together postal CEOs from across the world to discuss the international postal network’s most important trends and developments.

Titled “New business models in an age of change”, the forum’s curtain raiser was an on-stage interview with UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein about the dramatic events of the third Extraordinary Congress held the week before in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr Hussein told the audience that the agreement had helped resolve the vexed issue of remuneration rates.

Afterwards, there followed discussions on the likely impact of blockchain on the Post and new strategies for engaging both the young and the old. The event finished with a keynote speech from the Deputy Director General, Pascal Clivaz. OM The UPU Director General and his nagotiating team with US President Donald J. Trump Official White House Photo, Shealah Craighead

UNION POSTALE 37 Photo: Mark Prosser

Parcel+Post Expo

To encourage governments 1-3 October 2019, Amsterdam, The courage to increase funding in postal Netherlands development of their respective countries; More than 4,000 postal operators and to choose private sector companies from 97 countries To urge regulators to attended this year’s Parcel+Post Expo. the right harmonizing their tools to enable uptake of new services The attendees learned about the latest advancements in the postal, parcel and last- under new platforms; path mile delivery sectors. Over 200 exhibitors from around the world presented these To urge postal operators to innovations including drones, electric address their performance Extract from the speech of the delivery vehicles, robotics and the most and ensure that they compete Director General of the Universal recent Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. favourably in the increasingly Postal Union at the opening of the opened market; and third Extraordinary Congress in The UPU was also present at the exhibition Geneva, 24 September. with its own stand and dedicated speakers. And, finally, but very Lati Matata, UPU Postal Technology Centre “The Universal Postal Union has importantly, to seek greater Director, made a presentation about UPU IT been described as many things: A integration of all players into products and services. The participants forum, a platform, a network, and a the international postal sector. learned that the UPU is the largest logistics community, but I want to add one company providing seamless cross-border more word to this list: an outlier with The vision has been road tested, solutions to 95% of the population globally. a concrete vision for this industry’s and will hopefully form the Abidjan UPU’s Stéphane Herrmann, Lead Technical success. For much of its 145 years, 2020 strategy and go on to catalyze Account Manager for Mail Products and the Universal Postal Union has been this industry. But for real success, Services, spoke about UPU’s first- and last- a cheerleader for the transformation we must cooperate, we must mile solutions, including the Domestic Postal and renewal throughout the coordinate, we must unite. System, a future Android mail delivery industry. A voice for digitalization, Reaching consensus takes genuine application. Sandrine Diffo, UPU Quality e-commerce and financial services. courage. Why? Because each of us must move away from our zone of And, as we move forward to the comfort and each of us must, future, I wish to inform you that we perhaps, give up just a little of what have formulated a roadmap that will we want. In the coming days as you keep this Union in tune with industry debate and discuss the subject of and general business trends. Thanks remuneration rates, I call on all of to your contribution, we have you in the name of this historical developed UPU’s postal vision 2030 Union to find the courage to choose that encapsulates the future of the the right path not just for Union and the business of the yourselves, but for the entire industry. In this regard, we have industry.” identified four key areas that need to be addressed for the future development of the Post, namely: Photo: Olena Muravyova 38 LOOKING BACK AT 2019

Assurance Lead Software Developer, presented UPU’s big data platform. The audience learned that the UPU is the only UN agency that has a big data platform based on electronic advanced data (EDI) messaging for deeper data analysis.

During Parcel+Post Expo, more than 150 speakers took part in interactive sessions covering various aspects of digital innovations, e-commerce, customer engagements, artificial intelligence, communications and social media. The UPU Deputy Director General presented and explained the compromise Option V on postal remuneration rates reached during the UPU third Extraordinary Congress in Geneva. OM

Photo: Olena Muravyova Postal Operations Council & Council of Administration

S5: 1-12 April 2019, Berne, Switzerland S6: 14-25 October 2019, Berne Switzerland

The UPU’s Councils held two regular sessions in 2019, making considerable progress on their work programmes and deliverables, particularly concerning the 2016 Congress mandate to develop an access policy for wider postal sector players to benefit from UPU products and services.

During April’s S5 meetings, the Postal Operations Council and Council of Administration (CA) approved a proposal allowing priority partners such as customs Photo: State Post Bureau of China authorities and airlines to access the organization’s supply chain-related IT services. The access is expected to improve UPU Global Conference on improvement, operational achievements, the efficiency of customs clearance, transport Cross-Border Cooperation in an and the most recent digital innovations and security across the postal network. E-Commerce World for future development. In the spirit of true multilateral dialogue, they managed to find Later in the year, during S6, the CA decided practical, rather than theoretical, solutions 26-28 November 2019, Xiamen, China to intensify its studies on the inclusion of and their application. wider postal sector players within the UPU, Some 367 participants from 102 countries, establishing a special task force and deciding The conference has proven that the UPU, UN partner agencies, other international to hold an open consultation on the matter. as true single postal network and a organizations, and private sector companies The task force will be responsible for knowledge hub, creates the proper dynamic gathered at this global forum to discuss presenting a roadmap for accelerating the environment, helping all its players learn joint e-commerce issues and find solutions opening up of UPU products and services to from each other, share their intelligence for cross-border cooperation. Participating the February 2020 CA session. Ahead of this, and reach outside their comfort zones to organizations included WCO, IATA, ICAO, the UPU will organize a high-level forum on ensure the sustainable development of OSJD, OTIF, UNCTAD, INCB, as well as wider postal sector engagement in January global trade. OM Cainiao, JD.com, eBay, just to name a few. to seek the views of the organization’s various stakeholder groups, including the private Participants discussed every aspect sector. KR of cross-border e-commerce: postal supply chain matters, quality of service

UNION POSTALE 39 EVENTS World Post Day around the world UPU’s member countries joined in on the World Post Day celebrations in different ways. The following are some highlights from how Posts around the world marked the occasion.

TEXT: Kayla Redstone

GHANA During a World Post Day interview with the Ghanaian Times, Ghana Post Managing Director James Kwofie shared the Post’s progress on its vision for 2020. He said that since 2017, the company had been working to implement new revenue-generating activities, explore new business models and create partnerships. GREECE Hellenic Post ELTA spent World Post Day teaching nursery and primary school students about the value of the Post during visits to post offices around Greece. The children learned how to address and send their own letters as part of the activity. INDIA The Department of Posts celebrated 9-15 October as National Postal Week, with themed days for postal banking, postal life insurance, philately, business development and mail. The events included visits to schools to sensitize children to the role of the Post in society.

ITALY Poste Italiane released 11 special cancellation marks and a dedicated postcard to commemorate the day. The operator also arranged the special opening of a postal museum with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, which features a preserved post office from the Duchy of Photo: Hellenic Post ELTA Parma dating back to the 1800s.

40 MOVING THE POSTAL SECTOR FORWARD SINCE 1875 WORLD POST DAY AROUND THE WORLD

Photo: Poste Italiane

Photo: Emirates Post

Photo: Pakistan Post

LIBERIA PAKISTAN RUSSIA Liberian Minister of Posts and Postal staff were joined by Pakistan’s Russian Post issued a stamp featuring Telecommunications Cooper W. Kruah Federal Minister for Postal Services Murad the UPU’s 50th World Post Day design. The used the occasion of World Post Day Saeed, Federal Secretary for Postal Services design features a ring of hands clasped to announce that the country would soon Hamid Haroon and Pakistan Post Director together to symbolize the theme of the launch financial services through General Muhammad Akhlaque Rana for a day and the UPU’s 145th anniversary, the postal network. 9 October ceremony at the ECO Postal Staff “Delivering Development”. College in Islamabad. They raised the UPU MALAYSIA flag at the college, heard the UPU Director UNITED ARAB EMIRATES General’s World Post Day message, planted Pos Malaysia launched “Pos Silang”, Emirates Post celebrated the awareness day a sapling in the college’s garden and shared a Post Crossing initiative allowing people by hosting an awards ceremony honouring birthday cake. to exchange postcards with strangers the winners of its national round in the around the globe. UPU’s 2019 International Letter-Writing PHILIPPINES Competition. Shamma Saeed al-Memari OMAN PHLPost used the day to inspire youth to won first prize and her letter was sent on to write letters. Young people aged 10-15 were compete at the international level. Yousif Oman held a three-day exhibition invited to write a letter to their favourite Mohammad Sorour and Shaden Maher at the Muscat Grand Mall to commemorate teacher under the “Salamat Po” – “Thank al-Hawwari won second and third place, the 145th anniversary of the UPU and You Teacher” – initiative. The participants respectively. The event was held at the the 50th World Post Day. The exhibit was were then entered into a raffle to win a prize. Etihad Museum in Dubai. KR prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in collaboration with Oman Post.

UNION POSTALE 41 JUNE 2017 / N°1 JUNE – DECEMBER MARCH – JUNE DECEMBER 2015 2016 / N°1 JANUARY 2016 / N°4 Postal statistics update 2016 / N°2 Postal Big data Postal revenues increase UPU shares Olympian logistics new approach to Double World Post Day development Eleven heaven round-up cooperation ISSN 0041-7009 ISSN 0041-7009 ISSN 0041-7009 ISSN ISSN 0041-7009 ISSN

E-commerce to benefit from rail-post relations Working together to keep mail safe Advertising rate card 2020

Union Postale is the Universal Postal Union’s flagship magazine, Cutting the red Terminal dues tape on exports milestone reached founded in 1875. Each issue is published quarterly in several languages, giving advertisers a regular opportunity to reach out

DECEMBER 2017 / N°3 AUGUST 2017 / N°2 to their audience. New partnership Update on with Visa dangerous goods

World Post Day 2017 Cycling for Moving the postal sector Moving the postal sector forward since 1875 forward since 1875 sustainability Some 12,000 copies of Union Postale are sent to named distribution August Nº1/18 July 2018 | Nº4/17 ISSN 0041-7009 ISSN ISSN 0041-7009 ISSN lists annually. The bulk of these readers are the top decision-makers from national Posts and ministries from the UPU’s 192 member countries. They include chief executives, operations managers, Asia-Pacific: 10 no country left behind Speakers' technical experts, industry regulators and government ministers. Formidable 10 Corner Looking Cover 14 story force: CEOs look Cover 14 story

World Postal toward alliance 30 Business Envisioning to Addis Forum Around 1,000 further copies of the magazine are also distributed 21 a postal building future CEOs talk strategy each year during meetings of the UPU’s decision-making bodies, the Postal development on the move Postal Operations Council and Council of Administration, attended

by thousands of delegates from member countries and special UPU-3414_UPU0217_EN_Final.indd 1 08.09.17 10:30 industry events, such as Post-Expo. Moving the postal sector forward since 1875 December Nº2/18

Autumn 2019 An advertisement in Union Postale reaches a truly international

Inclusive capacity audience. building with 10 Trainpost

12 Cover The magazine is the only UPU publication that accepts advertising. story Ethiopia captures Countries 20 historical moment One booking ensures your advertisement appears in all language ONE WORLD, forge versions of the magazine both in print and online. ONE POSTAL spirit of solidarity Ideally, the artwork should be delivered in PDF format for each NETWORK available language.

Union Postale does not accept advertorials. Join the ranks of thousands of satisfied readers now. Sign up for four issues a year of our flagship magazine in one of seven languages. Book Book Full Book 1 Private subscribers anywhere in the world can subscribe for CHF 50 a 4 issues 8 issues Page issue year. Special discount rates apply to UPU member countries. (5% discount) (10% discount) Fax us your order now on +41 31 350 37 11 or email us at Inside 4,000 EUR 15,200 EUR 28,800 EUR [email protected] with the following details  magazine Inside 4,100 EUR 15,480 EUR 29,520 EUR front cover Inside 4,100 EUR 15,480 EUR 29,520 EUR back cover Back cover 4,300 EUR 16,340 EUR 30,960 EUR SUBSCRIBE NOW NAME Half Book 1 Book 4 issues Book 8 issues page issue (5% discount) (10% discount) POSITION

Inside 3,000 EUR 11,400 EUR 21,600 EUR ORGANIZATION/OPERATOR magazine

FULL POSTAL ADDRESS “I like Union Postale because it offers me information on select postal developments.”* E-MAIL ADDRESS “I like Union Postale because it keeps me informed.”* TELEPHONE

FAX CONTACT UNION POSTALE magazine Kayla Redstone Universal Postal Union Editor-in-chief Weltpoststrasse 4 LANGUAGE VERSION DESIRED P.O. Box 312 EMAIL: [email protected] 3000 BERNE 15 ENGLISH ARABIC GERMAN SPANISH TELEPHONE: +41 31 350 34 92 Switzerland

*From the 2019 readership survey FRENCH CHINESE RUSSIAN NOTE: Advertising in Union Postale is subject to approval by the International Bureau’s Communication & Events Programme. REGISTER NOW

Trust and Security: We are Branding and visibility: Innovation and growth: trusted. Every .POST owner is A dedicated innovation space A clear and unmistakable brand verified and adopts rigorous that enables digital postal for the global postal community. security standards. services and business models.