Centenary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Tradition dictates that on each World Postal Day, celebrated on October 9 every year, in commemoration of the creation of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in Bern, capital of Switzerland, the member countries of the UPU organize, on this occasion, philatelic events and issue stamps which mark this anniversary.
Among other events taking place on this date, stamp exhibitions, open days at sorting centers, post offices and postal museums.
In addition to these philatelic activities, sporting and cultural events are also organized. It is also on this occasion that the Universal Postal Union sends, through its Director General, a message to posts around the world, relayed by all media and read orally during the day dedicated to this commemoration.
This day is considered by all UPU member countries as a convenient time to evaluate the achievements recorded, but also to make projections for the future. It is for this reason, moreover, that many countries prefer to give a symbolic significance to this commemoration by making it coincide with the announcement of the advent of important innovations or the launch of new postal products and services.
In this very spirit and to take into account technical developments and their repercussions in the postal field, the actual acts of the Universal Postal Union are generally revised every 5 years by its congress, the supreme authority of the UPU. The other main organs of this institution are the Executive Council, the Advisory Council for Postal Studies and the International Bureau.
This year, the Universal Postal Union held its XVIIth Congress and commemorated the centenary of its founding.
Among other events taking place on this date, stamp exhibitions, open days at sorting centers, post offices and postal museums.
In addition to these philatelic activities, sporting and cultural events are also organized. It is also on this occasion that the Universal Postal Union sends, through its Director General, a message to posts around the world, relayed by all media and read orally during the day dedicated to this commemoration.
This day is considered by all UPU member countries as a convenient time to evaluate the achievements recorded, but also to make projections for the future. It is for this reason, moreover, that many countries prefer to give a symbolic significance to this commemoration by making it coincide with the announcement of the advent of important innovations or the launch of new postal products and services.
In this very spirit and to take into account technical developments and their repercussions in the postal field, the actual acts of the Universal Postal Union are generally revised every 5 years by its congress, the supreme authority of the UPU. The other main organs of this institution are the Executive Council, the Advisory Council for Postal Studies and the International Bureau.
This year, the Universal Postal Union held its XVIIth Congress and commemorated the centenary of its founding.