THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION

1. General Information

2. Main Purpose of the Organization

As part of its basic mission, the Universal Postal Union undertakes to promote and develop communication between all the people of the world. With 189 member countries, the UPU is the primary vehicle for co-operation among the world’s postal services, which provide a truly universal network of up-to-date postal products and services. Through its many activities, the UPU seeks to promote the free flow of international mail, stimulate and develop growth in mail volumes and improve the quality of postal service for customers.

The International Bureau, Headquarters for the UPU, is located in Berne and provides support facilities and technical expertise for the UPU’s bodies. In addition to its other activities, it also organizes and promotes technical co-operation for the benefit of Union members.

All of the Union’s budget expenses are financed jointly by the member countries, based on contribution class system. Upon admission to the Union, new member countries are free to choose one of ten contribution classes raging from one to 50 units. An additional contribution class of one-half unit is reserved for the least developed countries. There are at present five countries with the maximum of 50 contribution units

3. R&D Project Co-operation and Training

National postal service providers are among a country’s major employers and, as such, are large contributors to the economy through the purchase of goods and services. Each national postal service sets and managers its own procurement policies.

The UPU regularly provides national postal service providers with procurement-related information, such as lists of suppliers for various postal equipment.

The UPU’s international Bureau also purchases goods and services internationally for its own needs and for projects benefiting member country postal administrations.

4. Application Procedure

To the International Bureau of the UPU in Berne.

5. Other Information

Brochure "Universal Postal Union".