What is the Universal Postal Union (UPU)?

About Universal Postal Union (UPU):

• It is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector's primary forum for international cooperation.
• It was established by the Treaty of Bern of 1874.
• UPU is the second oldest international organization worldwide.
• Mandate: To ensure universal access to postal services.
• Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland
• Functions:
  • It coordinates postal policies among member nations in addition to the worldwide postal system.
  • It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel and financial services volumes and improve the quality of service for customers.
  • It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
  • It fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role and provides technical assistance where needed. 
• Member countries:
  • Any member country of the United Nations may become a member of the UPU.
  • Any non-member country of the United Nations may become a UPU member, provided that its request is approved by at least two-thirds of the member countries of the UPU.
  • The UPU now has 192 member countries.
• Structure: UPU consists of four bodies,
  • The Congress: It is the supreme authority of the UPU and meets every four years.
  • The Council of Administration: It ensures the continuity of the UPU's work between Congresses, supervises its activities and studies regulatory, administrative, legislative and legal issues.
  • The Postal Operations Council: It is the technical and operational mind of the UPU and consists of 48 member countries elected during Congress.
  • The International Bureau: Fulfilling a secretariat function, the International Bureau provides logistical and technical support to the UPU's bodies.