29-06-2017
UPU and IPC to identify synergies in technology solutions and to reinforce cooperation in market research and sustainability- UPU and IPC to set up a Forum and Expert Teams to implement the agreement
Bern, 29 June 2017 – Through a new cooperation agreement, the UPU and IPC are set to cooperate on issues of common interest and promote innovation and efficiency in a rapidly changing and increasingly demanding environment.
“The UPU’s foremost aim is to secure the organization and improvement of postal services worldwide and to promote international collaboration in this area. We are therefore particularly pleased to engage in a partnership that brings measurable benefits for the industry by contributing to the development of accessible, efficient and innovative postal services in our member countries,” said UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein. “This joint cooperation program supports the advancement of the UPU’s goals and strategy while conforming to its principles for cooperation with the private sector,” he pointed out.
“Both our organisations share the same goal of helping our member posts to enhance postal service in today’s challenging markets and in particular to play a greater role in e-commerce delivery”, commented Holger Winklbauer, IPC CEO. “This agreement represents a major step in our cooperation, aiming at building a mutually supportive working relationship for the benefit of the postal industry worldwide, in a context of increasingly scarce resources”, added Winklbauer.
Through this cooperation agreement, the UPU and IPC agree to identify new joint activities aimed at promoting overall quality, efficiency and sustainability of postal services. By collaborating, both the UPU and IPC will share technical knowledge and expertise.
Areas for cooperation will cover in particular IT, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), standards and supply chain, e-commerce markets, sustainability and support to development.
Both the UPU and IPC offer technology solutions to their members to interconnect postal networks together and ensure end-to-end visibility for consumers. The aim of the cooperation is to understand all available solutions and identify synergies.
Both the UPU and IPC are operating complementary RFID networks to provide end-to-end tracking. Through this agreement, the UPU and IPC will seek opportunities to collaborate with the aim to offer an interoperable RFID tracking global network for e-commerce.
The UPU and IPC will also cooperate on providing solutions to ease conveyance of cross-border shipments, including through an improved interface with third parties (airlines, carriers, customs, security).
The two organisations will also explore the possibility of joint qualitative research with leading global e-retailers and joint market research on cross-border e-commerce. the UPU and IPC also aim to find ways to work together with regard to postal sustainability calculation and reporting.
Under this agreement, the UPU and IPC will have a Forum to meet twice a year to review progress of the joint cooperation. The Forum will also supervise five Expert Teams tasked to implement the cooperation on all topics of common interest.
About the Universal Postal Union
Established in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, is the second oldest international organization worldwide. With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. In this way, the organization fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and provides technical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel and financial services volumes and improve quality of service for customers.
For further information, please contact:
Sonam Bernhard
Communication Programme Manager a.i.
Universal Postal Union
T: +41 31 350 31 23 E: [email protected]
About International Post Corporation
International Post Corporation (IPC) is the leading service provider of the global postal industry that provides leadership by driving service quality, interoperability and business-critical intelligence to support posts in defending existing business and expanding into new growth areas. It is a cooperative association of 24 member postal operators in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. IPC’s solutions and services are used by over 180 posts worldwide. Since 1989 IPC has set standards for upgrading quality and service performance and developed technological solutions that help members enhance service for international letters, packets and parcels. IPC engages in industry research, creates business-critical intelligence, provides a range of platforms and programmes for member post CEOs and senior management to exchange best practices and discuss strategy. IPC also manages the system for incentive-based payments between postal operators.
For further information, please contact:
Eva Wouters
Communications manager, PR and media relations
International Post Corporation
T: +32 2 724 71 91 E: [email protected]