The UPU’s 192 member countries are expected to adopt a new policy reinforcing support for postal development activities over the next four years during the 28th Universal Postal Congress this September.
Since its foundation in 1874, the UPU has had one principal mission: to stimulate the lasting development of efficient and accessible universal postal services of quality to facilitate communication between the inhabitants of the world. The organization’s development cooperation activities, targeted at closing gaps in the global postal network, are a key component in carrying out this mission.The UPU Development Cooperation Policy sets the tone for this work over each four-year cycle. At the upcoming Congress in Dubai, member countries will review the lessons learned over the past four years and adopt a new and improved approach for 2026-2029.
Focus on regionalization
In defining the UPU’s global strategy for 2026-2029, member countries quickly identified ramping up the organization’s regional presence as a top priority after noting the success of increased regional presence over the previous work cycle.
Between 2022 and 2025, the UPU expanded its seven regional offices to 14, staffed by 15 experts with in-kind support from 14 member countries.
Building on this widened reach, the new draft policy proposes strengthening these regional offices to deepen the work done in the regions – particularly for least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
This will include enhancing the stature and capacity of regional staff to ensure stability and enable them to offer effective services in key areas such as project management and resource mobilization. This will allow them more autonomy and flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and take up opportunities more quickly. Under the proposed approach, regional offices will play an even more critical role in strengthening relationships with key stakeholders and partners – including governments, regulators, postal operators, restricted postal unions, development agencies and the private sector – to mobilize resources and generate momentum on projects.
This proximity to member countries and partners in each region will help the UPU translate the UPU’s global strategy into effective regional development plans, ensuring no country is left behind.
Well-oiled project management
The success of regionalization will rely on a comprehensive project management framework as its foundation.
Going forward, the policy proposes strengthened transversal coordination for UPU technical assistance projects to avoid duplication and maximize resources. Regional offices will be involved at each step – from project initiation to evaluation.
Capacity-building initiatives will also be aligned at the country level, accounting for regional priorities and the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda to ensure the buy-in of not only governments, but also regional and international donors. This will help mobilize resources from the outset of every project to assure adequate funding.
An emphasis on South-South cooperation will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and resources to continually improve project design and implementation.
Disaster risk reduction & emergency assistance
Member countries attending the 2023 Extraordinary Congress approved an increase in the UPU’s budget, focusing in part on emergency assistance to members following disasters.
In response to this, the proposed policy prioritizes activities that build disaster risk management skills, ensuring the postal network is resilient and can respond effectively to natural disasters.
With this renewed commitment to regional engagement, results-driven collaboration and resilience proposed within the policy, the UPU is poised to deliver more inclusive and impactful development across the global postal sector.
Learn more about the topics being discussed during the 28th Universal Postal Congress, taking place 8-19 September in Dubai, here.