Turkey presses ahead with global postal services reform

By Addis Getachew and Tufan Aktas

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

The head of Turkish postal service, or PTT, has said that his country has been pressing for crucial reforms in the operations of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

The UPU, established in 1874 by the UN, has 192 member countries and is located in Switzerland. It oversees international mail exchanges.

Turkey on Monday presided the extraordinary meeting of the global postal union in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

PTT Director General Kenan Bozgeyik, who is also the chairman of the UPU’s Council of Administration, said the Addis Ababa meeting was a follow up to one held in Istanbul in 2016 when the union passed a series of decisions to reform the global body.

"The sector all over the world needs digital transformation and modern services mentality; these are some of the issues tabled to be discussed to arrive at some innovative solutions to lay out a successful and inclusive postal service in the future ahead," Bozgeyik told the meeting.

More than 134 countries were represented at Monday's meeting, according to Bozgeyik.

Bishar Hussein, UPU's secretary general said the meeting was called to address some specific agenda items crucial to continuity and sustainability of the UPU.

The summit is expected to resolve some outstanding issues such as membership contributions, reform of UPU, Integrated Postal Plan Implementation, among others.

"Some countries [are missing out on membership] due to sanctions and debts," Hussein said, referring to small Pacific island nations such as the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

"They bear financial burdens beyond their means," he added.