Universal Postal Union-UPU
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established in 1874 by 22 countries, including Turkey. Since 1948, the UPU has been operating as a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its headquarters is located in Bern, Switzerland. The basic tasks of the Union, as defined in the Universal Postal Union Constitution, are:
- To ensure the free circulation of postal items within a single postal territory formed by interconnected networks,
- To set standards in the postal sector and promote technology,
- To ensure international cooperation among its members,
- To provide effective technical cooperation,
- To ensure the satisfaction of consumer needs
as specified.
The main organs of the UPU are:
- Congress
- Council of Administration (CA)
- Postal Operations Council (POC)
- International Bureau (IB).
Additionally, there is a Consultative Council to ensure the participation of relevant stakeholders.
Congress
It is the Union's highest decision-making body, convened every four years with the participation of fully authorized representatives from member countries. At the Congress, strategies in the postal sector are primarily developed, and rules to be implemented on an international scale regarding postal matters are determined. In addition, the election of the Director General, Deputy Director General, as well as members of the Council of Administration and Postal Operations Council who will serve within the UPU, is also conducted at the Congress.
In 2016, the UPU Congress was held in Istanbul, hosted by our country. Our country, which also assumed the presidency of the successfully conducted Congress, will carry out the presidency of the Council of Administration for the next 4 years.
Administrative Council (CA)
The Administrative Council is generally responsible for matters related to state policies and all activities of the Union, ensuring the continuity of the Union's activities during the period between Congresses. Composed of one President and 40 members, the Administrative Council meets annually in Bern. The Administrative Council ensures the continuity of the Union's work and approves the budget. Additionally, discussing and deciding on the Principle Decisions presented by the Postal Operations Council is among the Council's duties. The primary duties of the Administrative Council are essentially: determining the policies to be adopted on postal matters, taking decisions aimed at modernizing postal services while taking international regulatory developments into account, and determining measures to improve service quality.
The CA has the authority to approve recommendations from the Postal Operations Council for the application of regulations or new procedures until the next Congress. It can also take measures it deems necessary to resolve urgent issues. In addition, it approves the UPU strategy and budget and ensures coordination among member countries.
Business Council (POC)
Ensuring the free circulation of postal items within a single postal territory formed by integrated networks, establishing common standards applicable to all countries and encouraging the use of technology, promoting cooperation and interaction among stakeholders, meeting users' changing needs, and developing effective technical cooperation are the fundamental tasks of the Universal Postal Union as stated in the UPU Constitution.
The Postal Operations Council, consisting of 40 member countries selected during Congresses and of which Turkey is also a member, is responsible for the technical and operational matters of the Universal Postal Union. Assisting in the modernization of post offices and the development of postal products and services offered, and providing advice to member countries on establishing standards in technical, operational, and other matters within its competence are among the duties of the Postal Operations Council. In other words, to enable postal administrations in the global postal network to work together, the Postal Operations Council deals with the operational, economic, and commercial aspects of the postal sector and provides recommendations to member countries on standards to be determined in technological, operational, and other processes when common practices are needed among member countries.
