World Post Day: All you need to know about the historic event

World Post Day: Every year on October 9, the world celebrates this historic day to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The Universal Postal Union Congress (UPU) declared World Post Day in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in its celebrations. Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. Some also use the day to reward their employees for good service. 

The objective of World Post Day

The purpose of World Post Day is to create awareness about the role of the postal sector in people's lives and businesses; and its overall contribution to the social and economic development of countries. The celebration encourages member countries, of which there are reportedly over 150) to undertake programmes and activities aimed at generating a broader awareness of the Postal services in those countries- their role and activities among the public and media on a national scale. More than 150 countries celebrate World Post Day annually, in a variety of ways. It is also observed as a working holiday in certain countries.

Celebrated in various ways

In many countries, philatelic exhibitions are organized and new stamps and date cancellation marks are issued. Other activities include the display of World Post Day posters in post offices and other public places, open days at post offices, mail centres and postal museums, the holding of conferences, seminars and workshops, as well as cultural, sport and other recreational activities. Many postal administrations issue special souvenirs such as T-shirts and badges. 

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UPU Director General's message on the World Post Day

Writing for the occasion, UPU Director General Bishar Abdirahman Hussein, expressed satisfaction that the Post has kept pace with fast-changing technology to ensure “One world. One postal network.” He observed that for 145 years, the Universal Postal Union has promoted solutions for the international postal sector, in the process, transforming the entire mail supply chain: from the acceptance, through sorting and finally to delivery.

“From manual to mechanized operation, the Post continues to innovate, using modern technology to optimize sorting and delivery and improve the supply chain from beginning to end. By embracing modern developments such as virtual reality, the Internet of Things, blockchain and robotic technologies, among others, the Post is today creating greater flexibility in customer service through the most advanced interfaces. We are now closer to our customers than ever before,” he wrote. He also added the Post is a key component in helping to achieve the goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in all countries and for the world's citizens.

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