In 2024, the Universal Postal Union is commemorating its 150th anniversary. Everything started on 15th September 1874 when the International Postal Congress met in Bern with participants who represented 22 countries. The goal of the Congress was the standardisation of the various postal systems that existed at the time, as each country had its own postal system and price list. This fragmentation complicated the transportation and delivery of international postal items. At the end of the Congress, on 9th October, the “Bern Treaty” was signed which laid the foundations of the General Postal Union. This treaty, that established the 2nd oldest specialised organisation associated with the United Nations, was concluded between Germany, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Spain, the United States of America, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. As the number of member states rapidly increased, in 1878, the General Postal Union was renamed the Universal Postal Union.
One and a half-centuries later, the Union brings together the postal networks of 192 member states, including, since 18th March 1993, the Slovak Republic. It still pursues the original vision of its founders; the creation of a unified postal area which serves people across the world with a truly universal network of modern postal products and services. By setting standards, harmonising policies, supporting innovation and extending the capabilities of the member operators, the Union provides an effective and reliable postal exchange system and facilitates the provision of inclusive and accessible communication and social services to communities around the world.
The design of the postage stamp is created using the point structure of the stamp perforation – the postal stationary that has accompanied the UPU throughout its existence. The WADP (World Association for Development of Philately), managed by the International Division of the UPU whose members also include representatives of Slovenská pošta a. s., is devoted to the development of philately as a specific collecting discipline. Since 2009, WADP has organised competitions for postal operators with philatelic exhibits during the World Philatelic Exhibition. Slovenská pošta a. s. has won this competition on 9 occasions which clearly demonstrates the high quality of Slovak postage stamps. As WADP also focuses on the protection of postage stamps against counterfeiting, the UV-colour application of the number 150 and abbreviation UPU addresses this global problem.
Peter Šturdík
