𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗨𝗣𝗨 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗱𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

At the 27th UPU Congress in Abidjan in 2021, the Universal Postal Union (#UPU) decided to hold an extraordinary UPU Congress in 2023 – the #RiyadhCongress. This would focus on opening the UPU to the Wider Postal Sector Players (#WPSP), to UPU products and services, and matters related to #sustainability.

The 27th Congress established that the UPU Consultative Committee (UPU CC) would represent the WPSP and facilitate their #engagement in the deliberations and #development of the postal sector: since July 2022, over 25 prominent companies and #associations have become UPU CC members.

The 4th extraordinary UPU Congress held in Riyadh this week has now upgraded the General Regulations of the Universal postal Union – the Riyadh Acts – to enhance the role of the UPU CC.

In doing so, the 192 UPU member countries have recognized the importance of the WPSP and formulized their #involvement in the #development and revision of rules, procedures, and the global #harmonization of the sector’s messaging and technical specifications.

This development also makes possible new forms of #cooperation, such as the #postalprosperityzone initiative.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲

A large number of UPU member countries have indicated interest in the UPU CC’s Postal Prosperity Zone initiative. Its aim is two-fold:

i.) To use globally harmonized UPU #data and #technicalstandards to connect with the UPU’s trusted and secure #ITnetwork #infrastructure in real-time; and
ii.) For designated postal operators to seamlessly #cooperate with all forms of #deliveryservice provider based on #electronicdata exchanged in advance.

In effect, the #PPZ initiative establishes unified, global connectivity for #digital #retail. It offers direct access to the #domestic #B2C delivery #networks of the UPU’s 192 member countries and their designated operators via a single real-time network, and covering all processes related to #customs, import duties, #transportsecurity and the accountability for sustainability carbon and #GHGemissions based on collective targets of a 30% #reduction in 2030 for Tier I DOs, and a 85% reduction for all DOs by 2050.

Given the growing WPSP #involvement in the UPU via the #ConsultativeCommittee, the PPZ initiative will also be complemented by other initiatives linked to directed postal delivery-related #marketing, as well as new #globalstandards on materials used for #packaging, and #recycling or reuse in the #circulareconomy.