Page 386 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

It was possible to have such a success story and to ensure cohesiveness and
solidarity in developing a highly efficient global postal network because mem-
ber States of the UPU made the key policy-decisions regarding the movement
of goods and services on the single postal territory. Although in the contempo-
rary world, as the Secretary-General of the United Nations stated at the
opening of the UN General Assembly, 20 September 1999, "State sovereignty,
in the most basic sense, is being redefined by the forces of globalization and
international cooperation". I am convinced that the activity of private compa-
nies involved in postal activities and perhaps the privatization of some public
operators should complement the vital role of Governments in addressing such
important postal issues, as the extent of the postal monopoly, the status of the
public operator or operators and privatization. Diversity in the structure and
commercial approaches of the operators will maximize the ability to take ad-
vantage of new opportunities and bring the posts to prosperity and
advancement. In this context, the major task of the UPU is to maintain and
develop the concept of the single postal territory as a framework for healthy
competition and cooperation.

I am proud to say that since 1 July 1948, when the UPU became a
specialized agency, its cooperation with the United Nations, in particular with
UNDP, UNEP, UN International Drug Control Programme, as well as with
other organizations of the UN system has grown and intensified. As an
example, allow me only to refer to technical cooperation introduced into the
UPU major programmes of activities as a result of the need to provide
assistance to the many newly-formed countries which have become members
of the Organization during the early 1960s. Funding for these activities
typically came from the UNDP or international development agencies. It
should also be noted that despite the technical nature of its activities and its
small budget, the UPU takes an active part in follow-up initiatives arising from
global conferences organized under United Nations auspices such as the
Conference on Environment and Development, the World Summit for Social
Development and the Forth Conference on Women.

th
I am confident that the commemoration of the 125 anniversary will
further stimulate hard-work and an innovative approach to the implementation
of the far-reaching reforms outlined by the UPU Congress in Beijing, aimed at
providing a higher quality postal service at reasonable rates and at developing a
wider range of products and services to meet the growing expectations of
customers. From this point of view, the Beijing Congress is an excellent
example of the spirit of open-mindedness and cooperation which has to be the
hallmark of the UPU in achieving its important mission.

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