Abidjan/Berne. Prime Minister Patrick Achi closed the 27^th Universal Postal Congress in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, today. The Abidjan Congress was the first-ever quadrennial meeting to be held in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Allow me to express the pride of a people and a continent on having been able to face and overcome great challenges,” said the Prime Minister, noting the difficulties the country surmounted to organize the Congress amid a global pandemic.

The Abidjan Congress was also the first-ever to be conducted in a hybrid format, with more than 1,000 participants joining the meetings remotely from 9 to 27 August.

The Congress reviewed more than 200 proposals on a range of issues aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of international postal services and the operations of the UPU. Member countries convening at Abidjan meeting took key decisions on opening the UPU to wider postal sector players, defining a new remuneration system and improving postal development.

This Congress marks the last for current UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein and Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz, who have served two mandates.

Speaking on achievements made in his two mandates during the closing ceremony, the Director General said, “I have always known change is never easy and that the pace of change in the postal sector was not going to allow us to become complacent.”

Mr. Hussein thanked member countries for their “respect, guidance and support.” Speaking about the incoming UPU leadership, he said, “I have no doubt they will fly this organization to new heights.”

The Congress unanimously adopted a proposal that will see a step-by-step opening approach presented to an Extraordinary Congress held in 2023. As a first step, the Congress approved immediate changes to strengthen the UPU’s Consultative Committee, a UPU body through which wider postal sector players are able to participate.

The Congress also approved a new Integrated Remuneration System, setting the basis for a more integrated, modern and forward-looking postal remuneration system. The system will take effect in January 2022.

With postal development at the heart of the UPU’s mission, it was also a key point on the Congress agenda, with countries adopting a new development policy for 2022-2025 that will allow the UPU to engage in larger-scale projects that will be incorporated into national development policies.

The Universal Postal Congress is the supreme decision-making body of the UPU and takes place every four years. The 28^th Universal Postal Congress will be held in 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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The Universal Postal Union is a UN specialized agency with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne. Established in 1874, it is one of the world’s oldest international organizations and is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.

For further information on the 27^th Universal Postal Congress, go to:
https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Bodies/Congress
For further information on the UPU Director General-elect and Deputy Director General-elect, go to: https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Bodies/Congress/Elected-UPU-Leadership

For media enquiries, please contact:
Kayla Redstone
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Communication & Events Programme
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Executive Office Directorate
T +41 79 930 12 50
E-mail: kayla.redstone[at]upu.int