The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) signed an agreement to modernize and transform postal services in Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to promote regional integration and trade, strengthen value chains and foster the digital economy.
Postal services have unique advantages to facilitate trade, including a network that can reach remote areas, transaction logistics, and linkages with other postal services and key actors in the trade process, such as customs and airlines. Improving these services across the region can lead to increased commerce and help develop the digital economy, especially for small and medium-sized firms (SMEs), which account for about 99% of businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Posts have the mandate and infrastructure to serve people in all corners of a country, making them a powerful engine for socioeconomic development and inclusion. We are pleased to work with IDB to help posts across Latin America and the Caribbean in their transformation journey, so that they can deliver modern services and maximize benefits to communities and businesses across the region,” said UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with UPU, which puts into practice our shared vision on the potential of modern postal services to boost the region’s connectivity, trade and value chains – all priorities of Vision 2025, the IDB’s agenda for driving inclusive growth,” said IDB President Mauricio Claver-Carone.
The partnership will allow the IDB to support countries as they incorporate the international guidelines and standards issued and promoted by the UPU. The institutions will also collaborate in researching data on trends and identifying existing gaps in postal services. The agreement includes sharing best practices and expertise from the modernization of postal services at the global level, which can be adapted and replicated in the region.
About the Universal Postal Union
The Universal Postal Union is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector's primary forum for international cooperation. The aim of the UPU is to secure the organization and improvement of postal services and to promote in this sphere the development of international collaboration and technical cooperation.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region. Access our virtual tour.
UPU Press Contact
Kayla Redstone
kayla.redstone[at]upu.int
+41 76 457 36 54
IDB Press Contact
Isabel Alvarez
isabela[at]iadb.org
(202) 623-1060