Second Extraordinary Congress hits ground running with consensus agreement on UPU reform

04.09.2018 - “The decisions you will take this week will have a big effect on the future of our Union,” UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein told member countries at the opening plenary session of the Second Extraordinary Congress. His words found tangible meaning in an early breakthrough on UPU reform.

The subject of reform has long been a subject of intense discussion and debate that has lasted more than 40 years. During the Istanbul Congress, in 2016, member countries adopted several reforms, but left a number on the table and instructed an ad hoc group under the umbrella of the Council of Administration (CA) to complete studies on additional measures of reform.  

Move forward two years, and in Addis Ababa, UPU reform came to a welcome conclusion when member countries agreed on a raft of proposals concerning decision-making; improving UPU’s efficiency and management of resources; the qualified and equitable distribution of member countries; as well as enhancing UPU’s role and relevance.

The consensus agreement on reform will likely lead to a reinforcement of UPU’s position as an intergovernmental organization, as well as ensure close cooperation between UPU’s operational body, the Postal Operations Council (POC) and CA, while maintaining their functional separation. Election agreements will also be changed at the POC by creating a simplified election mechanism and more adequate representation across regions.     

Reacting to the decision, the topic leader on UPU reform and Deputy Director General, Department of External Affairs, State Post Bureau of the People’s Republic of China, Ms. Gao Hongtao, said the decision on UPU’s reform had seen member countries successfully “… overcome differences in regions, countries and levels of development to achieve consensus.”

On the second day of the Extraordinary Congress, the State Post Bureau of the People’s Republic of China held a lunchtime reception. At that reception, the Director General of State Post Bureau of China, Mr. Junsheng Ma, announced the 3 September signing of a letter of intent between UPU and the State Post Bureau, as well as funding for a rail transportation project. China has also agreed to host a joint UPU/World Customs Organization conference on customs.

Congress
 

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