Digital transformation and diversification of postal services highlighted at UPU Tunisia meeting

28.06.2018 - Enhancing the ability of postal operators to support a country’s digital transformation was the subject of a Universal Postal Union (UPU) meeting in Tunis, Tunisia.

Held with the financial support of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the meeting of Arab countries focused on discussing how postal operators can participate in the digital economy and contribute to the achievement of goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Representatives from Posts, regulators, and ministries, from across the Arab region were shown how postal operators can extend digital services, promote e-commerce, and help developing countries bridge the digital divide, and contribute to the growth of their economies. 

Talks and discussions explored how Posts can better serve citizens, businesses, and governments in the digital age and ensure the postal sector considers appropriate strategies to take advantage of developments in the digital agenda.

Speaking at the event, Paul Donohoe, the UPU Programme Manager for Digital Economy, E-Commerce and Trade said, “The postal world is being disrupted by the development of the digital economy, affecting declining volumes of traditional services. At the same time, the digital economy is providing opportunities for new roles to meet government objectives, new business models for Post and new services requirements covering important policy issues such as e-commerce, e-government, and e-finance needs.”

Asked about UPU’s own role, he said, “UPU is at the leading edge of the discussions at the international level in WSIS and eTrade-for-all. This meeting shows it has the ability to bring together national postal operators, regulators and policymakers and give them a forum to explore the necessary strategies for long-lasting success in meeting government goals across these domains.”

The three-day meeting was held 26-28 June and involved over 30 representatives from Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Tunisia.

Source : http://news.upu.int