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UPU: Facilitating global postal cooperation and uniformity

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations and facilitates a uniform worldwide postal system.

Mission and activities

The UPU's mission includes:

• Standardising international mail delivery and promoting cooperation among member countries
• Establishing uniform postal rates and treatment for domestic and foreign mail
• Overseeing international express mail delivery through the EMS cooperative

Structure and governance

The UPU has 192 member states and is governed by four main bodies:

• The Congress, which sets overall policy and direction
• The Council of Administration (CA), which oversees administrative matters
• The Postal Operations Council (POC), which focuses on postal operations and technical issues
• The International Bureau (IB), which serves as the secretariat and implements decisions

History and impact

The UPU was established in 1874 as the General Postal Union and has played a crucial role in simplifying and standardising international postal arrangements. Today, the organisation continues to facilitate global postal cooperation and uniformity, enabling efficient and reliable mail delivery across borders.