U N I T E D N A T I O N S N A T I O N S U N I E S
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE FOR 25TH UNIVERSAL POSTAL CONGRESS
I am pleased to send greetings to the 25th Universal Postal Congress.
The Universal Postal Union is one of the oldest members of the UN family. What began, in 1948, as a relationship limited mainly to technical assistance has evolved considerably. While it remains focused on its principal role of developing regulations and standards to ensure compatibility and interconnectivity among countries and regions, the UPU is also active on many global issues in support of the overall aims of the United Nations.
The UPU is contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by supporting poverty reduction -- through financial inclusion, accessible and secure money transfers and trade facilitation -- and by promoting education, literacy and health. The UPU is continuously looking for new ways to address the heightened threat of crime, including the trafficking of drugs and dangerous goods, with a special emphasis on helping vulnerable or fragile countries, and is also promoting sustainable development and climate change mitigation through best practices. In all these areas, the UPU cooperates commendably with UN and other international and regional organizations, including financial institutions and development banks.
Postal services are universal. They connect people throughout the world. The three dimensions of the global postal network -- physical, electronic and financial -- are integral to social and economic development. By serving as natural gateways to the information society, the world’s postal outlets are helping to ensure universal access to communications.
I thank the UPU for its active participation in the work of the United Nations, including the UN Chief Executives’ Board, and I commend the leadership of Edouard Dayan as he reaches the end of his mandate as Director General.
Please accept my best wishes for a successful Congress.
Ban Ki-moon Secretary General United Nations