Congress is the supreme authority of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and meets every four years. Plenipotentiaries from the UPU's 192 member countries gather on this occasion to decide on a new World Postal Strategy and set the future rules for international mail exchanges.
An Extraordinary Congress may also be convened at the request or with the consent of at least two thirds of the member countries of the UPU. The UPU has held three Extraordinary Congresses to date: one in 1900 in Berne, Switzerland; one in 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and one in 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
News
2023 Extraordinary Congress – Saudi Arabia
Recognizing the need to cope with rapid changes in the postal environment and considering the potential growth opportunities offered by a more inclusive sector, the 27th Universal Postal Congress decided to hold a fourth Extraordinary Congress in 2023 to examine proposals associated with the further opening up of the Union to wider postal sector players, as well as other urgent postal sector issues.
The fourth Extraordinary Congress will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1 to 5 October. To participate, member countries are invited to consult the registration guidelines, submit their country's credentials and send in their call for proposals.
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Registration guidelines28.07.2023Registration information and procedures, and anticipated consequences of the potential adoption of certain Congress proposals concerning remote participation and accreditation of Union member country delegations.
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Detailed registration guidelines28.07.2023Additional guidelines on Congress registration and visa application processes.
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Credentials28.07.2023Participation in the fourth Extraordinary Congress. Delegates’ credentials. Advance submission to the International Bureau by 15 August 2023.
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Call for proposals28.07.2023Submission of proposals and paperless documentation.
Participation
The 2023 Extraordinary Congress will be attended by:
- Delegates and representatives of UPU member countries
- Authorized observers and ad hoc observers
- UPU International Bureau staff and interpreters
It is worth noting that sessions of the Congress may be opened to UPU-accredited media representatives, at the organization's discretion and subject to approval by the Congress.
Information about country participation, the schedule of meetings and proposals will be uploaded to the UPU’s Documentation Centre.
To access the online Congress registration platform, please click here.
For more information about the Congress, its venue and excursions, please visit https://riyadhcongress.upu.int/.
Communication from the International Bureau
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13.01.2023Circular Letter of 12 January 2023
Reference: 2000(DACAB)1002
Strategy Summit
Media
Media interested in covering the Congress should contact the UPU to receive accreditation:
Kayla Redstone
Lead Expert, Communication & Outreach Programme
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Mobile: +41 76 457 36 54
Email: kayla.redstone[@]upu.int
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