2019 Message from the Director General
Delivering development is delivering progress
For
145 years, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) has been promoting
solutions for the international postal sector. During this time, the
postal network has transformed the entire supply chain: from acceptance,
through sorting and finally to delivery, the Post has kept pace with
change to provide solutions that work.
From
manual to mechanized operation, the Post continues to innovate, using
modern technology to optimize sorting and delivery and improve the
supply chain from beginning to end. By embracing modern developments
such as virtual reality, the Internet of Things, blockchain and robotic
technologies, among others, the Post is today creating greater
flexibility in customer service through the most advanced interfaces. We
are now closer to our customers than ever before.
But
above all this, the UPU's original philosophy – to serve humanity, and
facilitate communication among the citizens of the world – remains the
driving force of the global postal network. Every other advancement and
innovation in the Post is geared towards supporting the very reason for
our existence: changing people's lives for the better. Developing,
developed and advanced networks continue to find synergy of purpose to
power our single network to deliver efficiently and cost-effectively
around the world. We continue to deliver as one.
At
every stage of these unique developments, the UPU has offered its
steadfast support. Our role is to coordinate, to build partnerships, and
to offer solutions. There is, however, another way of viewing our
invaluable work. By helping to deliver change, by always striving for
innovation and creativity, we have been delivering development to
successive generations. Today, the Post is a key component in helping to
achieve the goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
in all countries and for the world's citizens.
In
so many ways, delivering development is delivering progress. Some 1.5
billion people worldwide use financial services provided by Posts. This
makes us the second largest contributor to financial inclusion in the
world, and we continue to help lift people out of poverty. And the UPU
delivers development in many other areas: in the fields of health,
decent work, education, environment, and peace and justice, to name but a
few. Every single day, Posts are working in partnership to improve our
world.
On World Post Day, I extend my warmest
thanks to all the world's citizens, and to governments, designated
operators, the United Nations, civil society and many others who have
made their contributions to ensure "One world. One postal network."
As
we mark the 145 years of the UPU's existence today, it is worth
reflecting on how much our organization has helped humanity. The best
way to celebrate the past is to strive for a better future. We have been
guided in this work by the need to help humanity overcome its
challenges, so that we can secure the future that we all want for our
planet. This is the best way to deliver development and progress to the
world.