UPU and Qatar sign agreement on requirements to host world event in Doha
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the Government of Qatar today signed an agreement that paves the way for the organization of the 2012 Universal Postal Congress in Doha. More than 2,000 delegates from the UPU’s 191 member countries are expected to attend the event from 24 September to 15 October 2012.
The agreement signed today defines the requirements for the event and the responsibilities of the host country. It was signed by Edouard Dayan, the UPU director general, and His Excellency Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Qatar’s minister of state for international cooperation and acting minister of business and trade, during a visit by the UPU head to Doha. The two parties signed a first agreement last year, formalizing the hosting of the UPU Congress in the Qatari capital.
Speaking at a press conference, UPU Director General Edouard Dayan stressed the importance of the UPU as a United Nations specialized agency and a forum for cooperation and development for the entire postal sector. He spoke about the vital role of postal services in the economic and social development of countries and the importance of the UPU Congress.
“As the organization’s supreme legislative authority, the UPU Congress lays down regulations for international mail, parcels, e-services and financial exchanges and strategic decisions are taken about the future direction for the world’s postal services,” Dayan said.
He thanked the Government of Qatar for its commitment in ensuring a successful Congress, the first to be held in the Gulf region. “The UPU looks forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Qatar and a successful event in Doha that will welcome representatives from all 191 member countries, including a large number of ministers, postal chief executives and high-level representatives of the United Nations and other international and stakeholder organizations. Hosting the Congress in Doha offers Qatar the opportunity to showcase the country to the world, with significant benefits to the country’s and the region’s travel and tourism industry.”
The Congress, the UPU's supreme authority, convenes every four years and brings together plenipotentiaries of all member countries. Although Congress’ main function is legislative, over the years it has increasingly focused on strategic issues influencing the development of the worldwide postal network’s physical, electronic and financial dimensions.
The government of Qatar earlier named Mr. Abdul Rahman Ali Al-Aqaily, acting chairman of the General Postal Corporation of Qatar, as the chairman designate of the 25th UPU Congress. A team, representing different government entities, has also been set up under his leadership to prepare for Congress.
The next step will be to choose a suitable venue for the event. To assist Qatar in choosing a venue that would meet all the technical and logistical requirements, a team from UPU’s headquarters in Bern, Switzerland was in Doha this week to visit different convention facilities and advise the host country.
The decision to hold the 25th UPU Congress in Qatar was taken at the Geneva Congress following a successful bid by the Government of Qatar.