Postal strategy: Universal Postal Union holds its first round table
The first Universal Postal Union (UPU) regional strategy round table was held in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, within the framework of the “Pochtovaya Troika” strategic forum. This round table, which was organized in cooperation with the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communication (RCC), brought together the 12 RCC member countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. This regional consultation process, the first of its kind in the UPU’s history, was opened by UPU Director General Edouard DAYAN, who said: “The regional reality, in its political and economic dimensions, is here to stay and must be incorporated into our strategy”.
This was the first in a series of seven round tables to be held in each region in conjunction with meetings of the UPU Restricted Unions, a series which will culminate with a world round table in China (People’s Rep.) in December 2007. The purpose of these round tables is to take stock of implementation in the regions of the Bucharest World Postal Strategy (2005–2008), to guide the drawing up of the future UPU strategy, which will be adopted by the 2008 Nairobi Congress, and to ensure that the future strategy has a truly regional dimension.
Says Pascal CLIVAZ, Director of Strategy at the International Bureau: “Having brought together over 100 participants, including postal operators and the governments of 12 countries, this first round table was a success. It showed the importance of financial services for the RCC members. The participants confirmed the importance of the three main thrusts for the 2005–2008 period, which were defined at the UPU Strategy Conference held last year in Dubai: the growing need for interconnectivity, development and postal sector governance. The participants were also provided with the regional development plan, the vehicle for implementing this strategy. This plan will enable us to strengthen the postal sector, which is a key component of the world economy”.
Before it is adopted by member countries at the 2008 Nairobi Congress, the UPU roadmap for the next four-year period, which will also take account of regional particularities, will be presented at the joint session of the Postal Operations Council and the Council of Administration in February 2008.
