Bishar A. Hussein was categorical about the future of the postal service, declaring “From liberalisation to privatisation and the emergence of competition, the Post has faced many challenges to its survival, but none so daunting as the development of modern information technology”.

However, the Director General of the UPU stressed that successful postal services have taken on these challenges as opportunities to innovate and establish new market segments.

To achieve this innovation, Hussein stressed that it would be critical for the Post to develop digital competencies, along with the relevant regulatory frameworks to support this new environment. For successful integration, he claimed, the postal services must build an efficient network that is connected both virtually and physically, and with a local and international presence.

These declarations follow on from the ones he made in September this year when he presented the new development agenda for the coming 15 years. On that occasion, the Director General of the UPU stated that postal services “play an increasingly important role as an infrastructure for progress”.

“Given its universal nature”, he said, “the Post is well positioned to promote the economic, social, financial and digital inclusion of all the citizens of the world”. He went on, “Through its wide network, the Post should be aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, as well as at the underserved population, as a new business frontier”.

World Post Day has been celebrated every 9^th October since 1969, with events and activities now being organised in more than 150 countries around the world. The day chosen for the celebration derives from the date the UPU was founded in Berne, the capital of Switzerland.