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CPU 2015 PMG M DOC 4 18th Conference, British Virgin Islands CPU Secretariat Report 1. Subject Informing Conference of the programmes of activities undertaken by the Secretariat during September 2014 to August 2015 2. Decision required: i. Take note of the report Reference. Paragraph Proposal # ii. Consider and approve related 1.2.3 CPU 2015 PMG M DOC 9 proposals submitted 3.1.6 CPU 2015 PMG M DOC 10 5.2.5 CPU 2015 PMG M DOC 7 7.1.1 CPU 2015 PMG M DOC 8 7.2.1 CPU 2015 PMG M DOC 6 A. Introduction 1. This report serves to inform the 18th Conference of the Caribbean Postal Union of the programmes of activities implemented by the Secretariat for the period September 2014 to August 2015. 2. The report covers: - Human Resource Development - Representation of CPU at Meetings or conferences - Product or Service Development - Technical assistance to members - Information Communication Technology - Appointment of Task Forces or Committees 1 - Convention, Regulations and Agreements - Miscellaneous - Future Work B. Overview of the Programmes of activities implemented by the Secretariat I. Programme: Human Resource Development 1.1 Opening of the Barbados based Caribbean Postal Training Centre (CPTC) 1.1.1 The Caribbean Postal Training Centre (CPTC) was commissioned on 15 September 2014 by the Honourable Adriel Brathwaite, Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs. Also in attendance were Mr. Abdel IIah Bousseta, Director of Development Cooperation of the UPU International Bureau, Ms. Sandra Davoren, Secretary General of the CPU, Mrs. Owena Beepot Pryce, UPU RPC, participants to the transportation workshop, Coordinator of the CPTC, senior staff of Barbados Postal Service and specially invited guests. 1.1.2 The Chairman of the Conference of Commonwealth Postal Administrations (CCPA) in a congratulatory message to the Postmaster General, Barbados, cited the CPTC as a project for which tripartite funding could be sourced. The conditions under which member countries could benefit from the fund were also identified. 1.2 Skype Meeting of CPTC’s Curriculum Committee1 May, 2015 1.2.1 The long term viability of the CPTC and the formulation of non-RDP training modules aimed at supporting member postal services and developing the region’s human capital were discussed. 1 Members comprise Ms. Dorcas Scantlebury, Coordinator of the Centre, Mrs. Margaret Ashby, Deputy Postmaster General, Barbados Postal Service, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Owena Beepot Pryce, UPU Regional Project Coordinator, and Ms. Loretta Charlemagne, Technical Officer. 2 1.2.2 The Committee agreed to the development of postal and business training modules inclusive of product/service development, marketing, philately, postal regulation, pricing, postal sector policy, letter and parcel remuneration system and accounting, innovation for Posts and strategic planning. 1.2.3 The Committee also emphasized the need for third party funding to enable the Centre to play a significant role in human resource development by being operational for at least 9 months per year. The Coordinator of the CPTC plans to submit a proposal to CPU and UPU. The business training modules would be effected during the UPU 2017 to 2020 cycle. 1.3 Proposal: US based consultancy firm 1.3.1 The firm offered to assist the CPTC in its HR developmental thrust by identifying funding and programme development partners. The Management Board is reviewing the proposal. 1.4 Implementation of Logistics and Supply Chain Project – 2013-2016 RDP Strategic projects 1.4.1 Three of the workshops2 within the framework of the 2013-2016 RDP strategic project were successfully implemented with the training of approximately 74 postal personnel at the Centre (Figure 1). 2 Transportation, Sustainable Development and Postal Security 3 Figure1: List of member countries participating in training workshops at the CPTC Implementation Workshop Countries participated Persons trained period Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados Bermuda, Cayman Islands Dominica, Grenada Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts Transportation 22 15 to 17 Sept 2014 and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Sustainable Martinique, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 19 18 to 22 Nov 2014 Development Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Security Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, 333 17 to 20 Feb 2015 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago. 1.4.2 Five additional workshops: IPS.POST, Domestic Operations, EMS, Disaster Risk Management and Philately to be convened at the centre during the third quarter 2015 to the second quarter 2016. 3 Inclusive of Customs and Security personnel 4 1.5 Briefing sessions for “new PMGs” and other interested persons 1.5.1 Eleven PMGs from 9 member countries4 have participated in and benefited from briefing sessions on: - the postal cycle - postal regulation - international exchanges - List of compendia - UN/UPU languages and - The UPU’s remuneration system. 1.5.2 The sessions were organised to create awareness and understanding of the UPU and CPU and clarify specific terminologies. The sessions commenced 11 March 2015 and continued every first Wednesday at 10.00am. A change from Wednesday to a more convenient day and time for participants is being contemplated. II. Programme: Representation of CPU at Meetings or Conferences 2.1 Meetings of Restricted Unions (RUs) and the UPU IB: November 2014 and April 2015, Berne, Switzerland 2.1.1 Barbados represented CPU at the November 2014 session and at the April 2015 session along with the Secretary General. 2.1.2 The November session addressed cooperation models with a greater focus on the integration of objectives and resources with defined expectations. Other needs expressed included technical assistance in the area of training and capacity development, and increased cooperation. 2.1.3 The role of Restricted Unions in the decision making process was deemed crucial as it relates to discussion and submission of proposals in the regions and the provision 4 Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5 of guidance to government authorities and Posts in the execution of mandates decided at UPU level. 2.1.4 The April 2015 session discussed the UPU World Postal Strategy citing the need for a transformation of the UPU and Posts–centred on innovation, integration and inclusion as well as the UPU Vision 2020-which must occur before the 2016 Congress. 2.1.5 Inclusion was considered a pillar of the strategy for all Restricted Unions and the basis for infrastructural projects to modernize the Post and promote e-commerce and access to postal financial services among other things. E-commerce was recognized as largely important along with the need to prioritize this area and move forward quickly. 2.1.6 Restricted Unions would be required to evaluate the regional implementation of the Doha Postal Strategy, participate in the regional round tables on terminal dues; consider the need to build resilient Posts by developing contingency plans and participating in the UPU regional conferences. 2.1.7 The activities of the human resources training centre in the Caribbean organized in cooperation with the CPU were deemed successful. Although technical cooperation resources are limited, the International Bureau will seek solutions to propose to Congress aimed at strengthening these resources for the next cycle. 2.2 Meeting with India Post, November 2014 2.2.1 Technical assistance in the area of training was discussed with the representative of India Post during the November meeting of Restricted Unions. Full scholarships for postal training in India were offered to CPU. Interested countries within the region are to contact the Indian Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago for further information. 2.3 Conference of Commonwealth Postal Administration (CCPA) – October 23 to 25, 2014 2.3.1 The conference comprised two complementary strands – a Postal Security & Customs Training Workshop and the Main Conference. 2.3.2 The Workshop sought to address the needs and experiences of the member Postal Administrations in the face of technological changes and fast moving legislative 6 changes in the areas of Customs and Airline Security and provided insights into key areas5 2.3.3 The workshop concluded with the formulation of actions needed to take matters forward to the benefit of Posts and their customers. The Main Conference provided insights into a number of areas6. - 5 The changes in the global customs environment with respect to Customs function and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) four pillar strategic plan; - How Security and Customs dynamics are shaping the Postal sector and how Posts and Customs Agencies can collaboratively improve security and the customs operation; - The global, regional and national trends in security and customs and how these will affect Posts and their customers; - The new legislation shaping aviation and customs requirements including Advance Electronic Data requirements; - How Posts must manage the customs process to deliver the commercial and customer benefits emerging from the growth in e-commerce; - Partnering with national customs agencies and using the tools available including the Customs