In September 2025, India has been re-elected to the Asia Pacific Group of the Postal Operations Council (POC) and Council of Administration (CA) of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) for a term of 4 years from 2025 to 2028, underscoring India’s growing influence in global postal governance.
Exam Hints:
- What? India re-elected to two Bodies of the UPU
- Key Bodies: Asia Pacific Group of the POC & CA
- Where? 28th UPU Congress in Dubai (UAE)
- Term: 4 years from 2025 to 2028
- Indian Delegation: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia
- Key Initiative: Launch of UPI-UPU Integration Project
- Member countries: UPU (192), CA (41), POC (48)
- Current Chair of POC & CA: Côte d’Ivoire & France
About 28th UPU Congress:
Event: The election was held during the 28th Universal Postal Congress(UPC) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 8 to 19, 2025.
Theme: “Leading the Change, Creating the Future”
UPU Strategy: The Congress adopted the UPU Strategy for 2026-2029, accompanied by the Dubai Business Plan, with an aim to enhance the resilience, innovation, and inclusivity of the global postal network, addressing challenges such as digital transformation and evolving customer needs.
Indian Delegation: The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia, Ministry of Communications , with a focus on modernizing global postal services and promoting financial inclusion.
- During the event, India unveiled Unified Payments Interface (UPI) -UPU Integration Project, pioneering initiative to revolutionize by enabling secure, fast, and low-cost cross-border remittances to India.
- India has been a member of UPU since 1876.
Council of Administration (CA):
Member countries: It consists of 41-member countries and meets every year. It ensures smooth functioning of UPU between Congresses, oversees the implementation of international postal policies and regulations, and reviews strategic, financial, and administrative matters.
Approval: It can approve the adoption of new regulations or procedures suggested by the POC, enabling UPU to respond quickly to changes in postal services. It can approve the biennial budget and accounts of UPU and help coordinate technical support and assistance for all member countries.
- It can take measures to solve urgent issues.
India’s role: India’s membership enables it to contribute to high-level policy decisions on cross-border mail, electronic (e)-commerce, and financial services.
Current Chair: For the current work cycle, the Council of Administration (CA) is chaired by Côte d’Ivoire, represented by Isaac Gnamba-Yao, Director General of La Poste de Côte d’Ivoire.
Postal Operations Council (POC):
Member countries: It is the technical and operational body of the UPU, consisting of 48 member countries, which meets every year.
Focus: It focuses on helping postal services modernize and improve their products and services. It handles the operational, economic, and commercial aspects of postal work and recommends standards for technology and operations to ensure uniform practices among member countries.
Current Chair: The POC for the current term is chaired by France, represented by Jean-Paul Forceville, Director of European and International Affairs at La Poste Groupe, France.
About Universal Postal Union (UPU):
Director General (DG) – Masahiko Metoki
Headquarters – Bern, Switzerland
Established – 1874
