Global postal traffic
A postcard from overseas or a parcel from the other side of the world – the Universal Postal Union has been regulating the global postal system for 150 years now. Aimé Theubet, Director of International Affairs at Swiss Post, explains exactly what that means.
Founded in 1874 and based in Bern, the Universal Postal Union is the world’s second oldest international organization. Aimé
Theubet represents Swiss Post in international postal organiza- tions. Here he provides Focus on stamps with an insight into cooperation with the Universal Postal Union.
Mr Theubet, what exactly does the Universal Postal Union do?
The Universal Postal Union ensures that we have the ability to send consignments around the world. It makes cooperation between the 192 member states considerably easier, among other things, by defining norms and standards.
Any examples?
All over the world, the address is always placed at the bottom right. This may sound banal at first, but standardization of this kind is key to ensuring that all readers around the world can sort consignments. Another example is pricing policy: if a letter is sent from Switzerland to Japan, for example, Japan Post re- ceives a fee for its delivery. The Universal Postal Union lays down the clearing system for these fees and sets the prices. It is essential for processes like this to be coordinated centrally.
Why is it so important?
Without the Universal Postal Union, all postal organizations would have to come to bilateral agreements with each other. It also plays an important role in quality assurance. For instance, it has a fund in place to provide financial support to member
countries that are no longer able to guarantee delivery as a result of a lack of resources – for example if defective vehicles need to be replaced. Our goal is a worldwide postal network that is functioning at all times.
What issues are currently at the top of the agenda?
At present, the Universal Postal Union is focusing on adapting international postal products to future market requirements. International online retail has been booming for several years now, raising new questions about fair remuneration: for example, should a small product like a USB cable that is sent in an enve- lope be billed as a letter, or should it be billed as a parcel in the future? Because the effort required for sorting is the same as for parcels. Other key areas of global cooperation include main- taining competitiveness with private logistics companies, en- hanced customs and security standards and achieving sustain- ability goals.
What do you wish the Universal Postal Union on its 150th birthday?
Many congratulations, of course – and the hope that the organization can retain its role as an exchange platform to en- sure a secure future for the world’s largest logistics network.
