28th Universal Postal Congress set to reimagine global postal services

8 September (Dubai) - The Universal Postal Union (UPU) - the United Nations specialized agency responsible for coordinating and developing international postal services - opened its 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, today.

Highlighting the Congress's role, UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki said, "This Congress is our opportunity to ensure that every link in our network is strong. It is our opportunity to demonstrate that, despite any differences in views or interests, we are able to build common solutions, regardless of our region, level of development or business model. It is our opportunity to work collectively for the benefit of all, to build on what has always made our postal community and the UPU so unique for more than the last 150 years: solidarity and universality."

The UPU Director General also expressed his gratitude to the United Arab Emirates. The supreme decision-making body of the UPU is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Honorary Chair of the Congress and Chairman of 7X, said: "The 28th Universal Postal Congress is an opportunity to set the tone for the next era of universal postal services, and to ensure that the sector remains relevant and responsive to twenty-first century realities. The United Arab Emirates commits to this Congress a spirit of consensus building and partnership, oriented towards action and anchored in service, so that the progress we set in motion today resonates across regions and generations."

Proceedings

The proceedings begin this afternoon with the UPU Global Leaders Summit, which will gather more than 50 ministers, as well as heads of postal regulators and CEOs from postal operators and the wider sector, to provide a bird's-eye view on the sector's opportunities in the digital age and how to seize them.

Discussion on the UPU's next four-year work plan and its financing will begin on Tuesday.

Member countries will review proposals that seek to modernize postal products, remuneration and quality of service for the e-commerce era; strengthen the postal sector's role as an inclusive services provider; ensure the network's resilience; and deepen the UPU's regional support to developing countries.

On 10 September, following the regular Congress agenda, the UPU will convene a special session to brief member countries on the latest developments concerning network disruptions related to regulatory changes introduced by the United States on 29 August. This session will also present the solutions being explored and offer a dedicated forum for open discussion.

The 28th Universal Postal Congress will continue until 19 September and is chaired by 7X Group CEO Tariq Al Wahedi.

Members of the Press are invited to attend or stream a press conference with the UPU Director General and the Congress Chair and Host at 12.30 GST today.

The UPU has also prepared backgrounders including more information on the Congress , the proposed UPU Strategy for 2026-2029 , and proposals to the Congress seeking to modernize postal services for the e-commerce era .

Photos for press usage can be found on the UPU's Flickr page .

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About the Universal Postal Union (UPU):

Established in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the postal sector. With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players, helping ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. In this way, the organization fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and provides technical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel, and financial services volumes and improve quality of service for customers.