Secretary-General praises global postal services in message to UN-led congress

Postal workers play a valuable role in supporting migration, fund transfers, transport, trade, education and literacy, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today in a message to the 24th Universal Postal Congress in Geneva.

“Postal services are universal, connecting people throughout the world,” Mr. Ban said in the message, which was delivered by the Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva, Sergei Ordzhonikidze.

“That is particularly important at a time when millions of people have migrated to seek better economic opportunities, or have been forced to flee areas afflicted by war or natural disaster, and are eager to share news and resources with loved ones.”

The Secretary-General added: “I am encouraged by the way the world’s postal outlets are serving as natural gateways to the information society.”

The Universal Postal Union, a UN agency based in Switzerland, is leading the three-week Congress, which began yesterday. The gathering is focusing on a new global strategy to improve and harmonize the world’s postal services. More than 2,200 participants from the UPU’s 191 member countries are taking part.