COVID-19: UPU postpones Universal Postal Congress
The Universal Postal Union has postponed the 27th Universal Postal Congress which was to be held from 10-28 August in Abidjan.
Director General of the Universal Postal Union, Bishar A. Hussein said: “I regret to inform you that, due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Universal Postal Union and its partner, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, have decided to postpone the 27th Universal Postal Congress which was to be held from 10-28 August in Abidjan.
“We will continue monitoring the situation in coordination with the Ivorian authorities, and will propose appropriate dates once it is felt that the Congress can be held safely. Naturally, the health and safety of delegates, participants and citizens of the host country will be given priority when selecting new dates.”
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 to shape the future of the postal sector.
In 2020, the UPU’s member countries are expected to adopt the new World Postal Strategy – a roadmap for the new work cycle commencing in 2021. The Congress will also decide on new rules and set policies on the international exchange of postal items. As part of the proceedings, member countries will elect the next UPU director general and deputy director general and decide on the membership of the UPU’s Council of Administration and Postal Operations Council for the 2021-2024 period.
The Universal Postal Union is a UN specialized agency with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne. Established in 1874, it is one of the world’s oldest international organizations and is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.
