The UPU’s work cycle for 2013-2016 entered its home stretch with decisions taken on how to reform the Union's structure and improve products and services as the February Council of Administration (CA) came to a close.
The decisions taken set the stage for Congress, the UPU’s supreme decision-making body, which is taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, from September 20 – October 7, 2016.
The CA, which oversees the UPU’s work between Congresses, debated and approved a number of key issues, including the draft Istanbul World Postal Strategy for the next work cycle and principles for a structural reform of the UPU.
The current cycle has been marked by a series of accomplishments, said UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein a speech to the CA Plenary.
He noted that 81 per cent of resolutions from the Doha Congress in 2012 have been implemented so far. “We are confident that we will be able to achieve the remaining targets in the coming months”, he said.
Some highlights from the Doha cycle included the approval of some 119 Quality of Service Fund projects worth approximately 30 million USD and the opening of six new training centres worldwide.
The UPU also organized some 25 international and regional forums during this period, 100 training workshops in the regions and launched PosTransfer, the global trademark for postal remittances, among other achievements.
Hussein also referred to the draft World Postal Strategy, the result of a process involving almost 90 per cent of the membership at seven regional strategy conferences and a world conference last year and CA discussions.
Associated with the draft is a business plan, which was approved by the CA and is slated for fine-tuning ahead of Congress.
Reforming the Union
Hussein also urged members to embrace reform in order to make decision-making faster and less expensive, while raising the profile of the UPU. “We must reform the Union in order for it to continue being relevant to our members,” said Hussein.
The proposal for reforming the UPU’s structure was the subject of lively debate and will be discussed further in the run-up to Congress. This, if approved at Congress, would create a single council to replace the current two-council structure.
Virtuous cycle
Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz, also speaking at the plenary, mentioned the risks faced by the UPU and urged members to embrace the proposed World Postal Strategy and reform.
In particular, he noted the risk of a “vicious circle” if the UPU becomes inflexible and unable to create innovative products and services, making the organization less relevant and leading to a reduction in financial contributions. “What we need to do today is break this vicious circle, and to create a virtuous circle”, said Clivaz.
Masahito Metoki from Japan, chair of the Postal Operations Council (POC), presented highlights from the POC Plenary to the CA, including revisions to the Letter Post and Parcel Post Manuals.
Proposals to Congress would now be refined before formal submission, said Metoki.
Other matters
On the sessions’ sidelines, the UPU signed an agreement with the Conference of Commonwealth Postal Administrations on extending their collaboration particularly in the field of further training.
As for which country could host the Congress in 2020, Côte d’Ivoire has reaffirmed its interest. It is currently the only candidate wishing to do so. The final decision on which country will host the next Congress will be taken in Istanbul.
At the CA Plenary. Hussein also announced an effort to fight the Zika virus in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
He encouraged Posts in member countries to distribute the PAHO materials in the Latin American and Caribbean regions, where Zika infections are most prevalent, to raise awareness among postal workers and customers.