The United Nations (UN) World Post Day is annually observed across the globe on 9 October to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland.
- The day aims to bring awareness about the role of the postal sector in everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development.
The theme of World Post Day 2023 observed on 9th October 2023 is “Together for trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future”.
- The UPU’s theme emphasises the crucial role of postal services in the digital age. It not only calls upon governments and postal services to adapt to the changing landscape but also encourages global collaboration to ensure equal access to the digital economy for all.
Note:
- UPU is the second oldest international organization worldwide, after the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- The UPU became a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) on 1 July 1948.
Background:
i.In 1969, the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan adopted the resolution C 11/1969 and recommended that the 9th of October (the anniversary of the founding of the UPU) each year be observed as UPU Day.
ii.“UPU Day” has been renamed ‘World Post Day’ by resolution C 32/1984 at the Hamburg Congress in Germany.
iii.The first World Post Day was celebrated in 1969.
Note: Every year, more than 150 countries celebrate World Post Day in a variety of ways. In India, the day acknowledges the beginning of National Postal Week, celebrated from October 9 to October 15.
International Letter-Writing Competition (ILWC) for Young People:
i.The annual International Letter-Writing Competition (ILWC) was launched by the UPU in 1971 and aims to promote literacy among children through the art of letter writing.
ii.2023 ILWC marks the 52nd ILWC event.
- For countries participating in the UPU ILWC, national winners are often honoured on 9 October every year.
UN Stamps:
i.The idea of the UN issuing its own stamps was first proposed by Argentina in 1947.
ii.The UN is the only organization in the world that is neither a country nor a territory that is permitted to issue postage stamps.
iii.The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) of the UN is the only postal authority that issues stamps in 3 different currencies: USD, Swiss francs, and euros.
iv.The first UN stamps were issued in USD denominations on UN Day, 24 October 1951.
v.The UN stamps are designed to illustrate the aims and achievements of the UN and its family of organisations.
India’s National Postal Week 2023- October 9-13, 2023
National Postal Week is annually observed across India from October 09 to 13 to generate a broad awareness about the role of India Post and its activities among the public and media at a national level.
- The observance of National Postal Week is led by the Department of Posts (DOP).
Note: India possesses the largest postal network in the world
2023 Event:
In 2023, the event focuses on the latest products and Mail and Parcel Services like Dak Niryat Kendra (DNK), collaboration with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Amazon, Aadhaar, and other citizen-centric services available at postal counters.
Observance of National Postal Week 2023
- 9th October 2023 – World Post Day
- 10th October 2023 – Vittiya Sashaktikaran Diwas(Financial Empowerment Day).
- 11th October 2023 – Philately Day
- 12th October 2023 – Mails and Parcels Day
- 13th October 2023 – Antyodaya Diwas
