Masahiko Metoki of Japan has been elected the new Director General of the Universal Postal Union. Speaking about his election, Mr. Metoki said on social media, “It is a huge honour for me and I sincerely thank all the member countries and the people who have supported me. I will commit all my strength to the bright future of the UPU.”
The UPU Director General-elect has enjoyed an extensive career in the public service, particularly in the postal sector. He first joined Japan’s Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in 1983. Mr. Metoki later took on the role of Postmaster at the Nihonmatsu Post Office in Fukushima Prefecture, eventually moving back to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications’ Postal Savings Bureau as its Director of the International Service Office.
In addition to his experience with the Post, Mr. Metoki has worked with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Japan in Thailand. Mr. Metoki represented Japan as Chair of the Postal Operations Council since 2012. He has also chaired the 22nd Congress committee for postal financial services and the Postal Operations Council’s Postal Financial Services Group.
According to UPU’s rules, “The candidate who obtains a majority of the votes cast by the member countries present and voting shall be elected.” At the first round of voting, Mr. Metoki won 102 votes, compared to 40 votes for Pascal Clivaz of Switzerland and 14 votes for Jack Hamande of Belgium.
Speaking after the results, UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein said, “I express my profound congratulations to Mr. Metoki, the next Director General of the Universal Postal Union.” He said the election was a remarkable success and said countries had endorsed Mr. Metoki to lead the organization into the next cycle.