萬國郵政聯(lián)盟-2024年夏季聯(lián)合郵品（英）

MOVINGTHEPOSTALSECTORFORWARDSINCE1875|SUMMER2024

COVERSTORY

UPUPRIORITIZESCYBERRESILIENCE

UPUAT150

UPUSHARESHISTORY

WITHBERNE

21

46

44

UPUTECHNICALSOLUTIONS

EMSHARNESSESTHEPOTENTIALOFDIGITALLEARNING

UPUKNOWLEDGECENTRE

UPU-LEDPRIVATE-

PUBLICALLIANCE

BOOSTSGLOBAL

FINANCIALINCLUSION

UPUMEDIAZONE

“VoiceMail”offerspostalstoriesfrom

aroundtheworld.Experiencedpodcast

hostIanKerr–thefounderofPostal

HubPodcast–speakstothepeoplewhodeliverthemail,thedecisionmakersthatinfluencethesector,andthosewhowork

sohardbehindthescenestohelpthingsmovefromAtoB.

Listenandsubscribeonyourfavourite

streamingplatform:

/en/

News-Media/Podcast

“DigitalUnion”istheUniversalPostal

Union’smonthlynewsletterproviding

newsandinformationontheactivitiesoftheUNspecializedagencyresponsible

forpostalmatters.

Subscribetostayupdatedonthelatestpostaldevelopments:

/en/

News-Media/Newsletter

TheUPU’sblog“PostalMatters”offersfresh

insightsintotheinternationalpostalsector,aswellasitstechnologicaladvancesandlatest

innovations.Postaloperatorsandotherpostalsectorplayersarewelcometosendustheir

contributionscontainingreflections,viewsandperspectivesonthepostalfuture,e-commerce,sustainabledevelopment,financialinclusion

andotherrelatedareas.

Checkoutthelatestarticles:https://www.upu.int/en/News-Media/Blog

Tohaveyourpostalblogfeatured,contactusat

communication@

6

DIRECTORGENERAL’S

FOREWORD

Buildingastrong

networkforadigitalworld

7

EDITOR’SNOTE

Forgingstronglinks

11UPUFORUM

SpotlightonSIDS

21

UPUAT150

UPUshareshistorywithBerne

26

SPEAKERS’CORNER

Transformationon

thehorizonforKazPost

30

SPEAKERS’CORNER

Inclusiondelivered

inChina

52

MARKETFOCUS

SwissPostcelebrates

175yearsinbusiness

56

MARKETDIGEST

8

UPUFORUM

2024UPUPOSTALLEADERSFORUMSDRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

In2023,UPUlauncheditsfirst-everregionalforumforpostalleadersinAfrica.

Followingtheevent’ssuccess,theorganizationrolledouttheconceptfortheArabregionandsmallislanddevelopingstates(SIDS)toensureallmembercountries–

bigandsmall–havespacetovoicetheirchallengesandharnesstheiropportunitiesthroughthedigitaltransformationprocess.

UPUAT150

ANINTERVIEWWITH

USPSHISTORIANSTEPHENKOCHERSPERGER

UPUHistorians’ColloquiumpresenterandUSPSHistorianandCorporateInformationServicesManagershares

hisresearchandtheimportanceofpostalhistory.

14

UPUAT150

UPUTHROUGHHISTORY:INSIGHTSONTHEUPU’SROLEININSHAPINGPOSTALANDPOLITICALLANDSCAPES

PresentersfromtheUPU’sfirst-everHistorians’ColloquiumsharetheirviewsontheUNspecializedagency’srolethroughouthistory.

18

STRATEGYPILLAR1

STRATEGYPILLAR2

STRATEGYPILLAR3

4

MOVINGTHEPOSTALSECTORFORWARDSINCE1875

CONTENTS

34

UNIONPOSTALEistheUniversal

PostalUnion’sflagshipmagazine,

foundedin1875.Itispublished

quarterlyinfivelanguages(English,French,Arabic,ChineseandSpanish)

andtakesacloserlookatUPUactivities,featuringinternationalnewsand

developmentsfromthepostalsector.

Themagazineregularlypublisheswellresearchedarticlesontopicalissues

facingtheindustry,aswellasinterviewswiththesector’sleadingindividuals.

ItisdistributedwidelytotheUPU’s192membercountries,including

thousandsofdecision-makersfrom

governmentsandPosts,aswellasotherpostalstakeholders.AllregarditasanimportantsourceofinformationabouttheUPUandthepostalsectoratlarge.

TheUniversalPostalUnionneitherendorsesanyproductsorservicesofferedbythird-partyadvertisers

norguaranteestheveracityofanyclaimsmadebythesame.Opinionsexpressedinthearticlesarenot

necessarilythoseoftheUPU.

Itisexpresslyforbiddentoreproduce

anypartofUNIONPOSTALE

magazine(includingtext,imagesorillustrations)withoutpriorpermission.

COVERSTORY

UPUPRIORITIZESCYBERRESILIENCE

Postsworldwidearedigitalizing,openingupanewworldofchallenges:

cyber-attacks.TheUPUisworkingwithitsmemberstokeepthemandtheircustomerssafe.

UPUTECHNICALSOLUTIONS

42

MEMBERCOUNTRIESBENEFITFROMUPU’SIMPROVED,COLLABORATIVEPROJECTMANAGEMENT

SUMMER2024

WiththeincreasingcomplexityofUPUcapacitybuildingprojectsrequiringcollaborationacrossdisciplines,theorganizationhasdevisedandsuccessfullyadoptedatransversal

frameworkforprojectmanagement.

Referstotheseasonin

thecountryofpublication.

UPUTECHNICALSOLUTIONS

EMSHARNESSESTHEPOTENTIALOFDIGITALLEARNING

TheEMSCooperativeprovidescomprehensivetrainingtoequipoperators

withtheessentialknowledgeneededtogrowtheirExpressMailService(EMS)businessandprovideanexcellentservicetocustomers.Alongside,itsface-

to-facetrainingprogramme,theEMSCooperativehasdevelopedasuiteofengagingeLearningmaterials,ensuringtrainingisaccessibletoeveryone.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

44

KaylaRedstone(KR)

AUTHORS:HelenNorman(HN),

TaraGiroud(TG),MakikoHayashi(MH),PooranParampath(PP),AlisonCoe(AC)

DESIGNANDLAYOUT:

SonjaDenovski

PRINTING:UPUPrintShopSUBSCRIPTIONS:

publications@

ADVERTISING:

kayla.redstone@

COVER:AIGeneratedImage

UPUKNOWLEDGECENTRE

UPU-LEDPRIVATE-PUBLICALLIANCEBOOSTS

FINANCIALINCLUSIONINBOTSWANAANDBEYOND

Launchedin2017,theFinancialInclusionTechnicalAssistanceFacility(FITAF),ajoint

initiativeestablishedbytheUPUwithVisaInc.andtheBillandMelindaGatesFoundation,soughttoadvancefinancialinclusionformillionsthroughthedeliveryofdigitalfinancialservicesbyposts.

46

CONTACT:

UNIONPOSTALE

InternationalBureau

UniversalPostalUnion3015BERNE

SWITZERLAND

PHONE:+41313503111

E-MAIL:kayla.redstone@WEBSITE:

/en/News-Media

5

UNIONPOSTALE|SUMMER2024

DIRECTORGENERAL’SFOREWORD

BUILDINGASTRONGNETWORKFORADIGITALWORLD

BUILDINGASTRONGNETWORKFORADIGITALWORLD

“Whilewecontinuetomoveahead,wemustensurethatallmembercountriesmoveaheadtogethertosecure

ournetworkthrough

continuousdigitalizationefforts.Nooneshouldbeleftbehind.”

MasahikoMetoki

DirectorGeneral,UPU

dialogueiswhathasledtheUPUto

discoveranddevelopthesolutionsthathaveensuredasafe,secureandreliableuniversalpostalservicefor150years.

Whilewecontinuetomoveahead,wemustensurethatallmembercountries

moveaheadtogethertosecureour

networkthroughcontinuousdigitalizationefforts.Nooneshouldbeleftbehind.

Toensureafullyinclusivedialogue,Ibelieve

itisessentialtoprovideopportunitiestoexchangeideasandperspectivesattheregionallevel.AnexampleofthisisourregionalPostalLeadersForums,whichhavehelpedusgatherinsightsandbolsteredknowledge-sharing

amongcountriesandotherpartners.

Thesediscussionsmustbefollowedup

withtrainingandoperationalsupport

fromourInternationalBureauteams,in

coordinationwithpartners.Capacity-

buildingprogrammesorganizedthroughtheUPU’sDevelopmentCooperation

provideinvaluablesupporttoour

members–especiallythemostvulnerable

–toacceleratetheirprogress.Technical

assistanceprogrammessuchastheFinancialInclusionTechnicalAssistanceFacility(FITAF),whichbolsteredparticipatingposts’digital

financialservicesofferingtoincreasetheir

positionasafinancialinclusionpartner,helpbringallplayersinournetworkuptospeed.

Ithankourmembercountriesfortheir

engagementintheseforums,fortheirworkwithUPUexpertsandpartners,andfor

theirdrivetoensureournetworkpersistsforanother150yearsandbeyond.

MasahikoMetoki

DirectorGeneral,UPU

At150yearsold,theUPU’ssinglepostal

territoryhaswithstoodnumeroustestsofitsresilienceanditsrelevance.Ithassurvived

amongvariouschangesandconflicts.

Ithassurvivedandevenimproved

theadventofnewtechnologies,fromtelephonestotheInternet,during

increasingcompetitioninthepostandlogisticssectorworldwide.

Thismilestonewasachievednotbyrestingonourlaurels,butbycontinuousdialogue,researchandinnovationtoensurewe

notonlyadaptedto,butanticipatedour

challengesandgraspedouropportunities.

Thissharedspiritofevolutionand

collaborationamongourfamily–192

membercountriesstrongtoday–iswhathashelpedusendure.Maintainingthis

spiritiswhatwillhelpuscontinuetodoso.

Asglobalpostalplayersrapidlydigitizetheirprocessesandservices,oneofournextgreatchallengesiscybersecurity.Morethanafewdesignatedpostal

operatorshavebeenthesubjectsof

attacks.Butweareworkingproactivelytomaintainthestrengthandsecurityofournetworktoprotectcustomers.

Inearly2023,ourteamattheInternationalBureauhelpedkeepinternationalmail

movingtoandfromtheUnitedKingdomfollowingacyberincident.Thisreliedon

aUPUsolution–theInternationalPostal

System(IPS)–whichhasbeenfortifiedandadaptedwiththefeedbackofmembers

overdecades.Laterthesameyearduring

theRiyadhExtraordinaryCongress,

membercountriesdecidedtoallocate

additionalbudgettowardscybersecurity.

Earlierthisyear,membercountries

gatheredwithwiderpostalsector

playersandcybersecurityexpertsat

MasahikoMetoki

@UPU_DG

Follow

theUPU’sCybersecurityForum,wheretheydiscussedpotentialthreatstothesector,butalsosolutionstoreinforcethenetwork’sresilience.Thistypeof

6

MOVINGTHEPOSTALSECTORFORWARDSINCE1875

ThisinUNIONPOSTALEwe’vetakena

FORGINGSTRONGLINKS

EDITOR’SNOTE

quarter

deep-diveintothewaystheUPUanditsmembersareworkingtobuildthestrongestpostalnetworkpossible–bothphysicallyanddigitally.

Inourcoverstory,youwillreadhowtheUPUis

zeroinginonbuildingresiliencetocyberthreats

facingpostsastheymovedeeperintothedigital

sphere.Thisincludesafascinatingcasestudyof

RoyalMail’ssuccessfulpartnershipwiththeUPUtoprotectthepostalnetworkandkeepinternational

mailflowingintheimmediatewakeofaransomwareattack.

Thiseditionwillalsoexaminetheforumsand

solutionsithasdevelopedtoinclude,trainandhelpevolvethepostsofeventhesmallestandmost

remotepostaloperatorsasthesectorforgesaheadwithdigitaltransformationinallareas–from

e-commercetofinancialservices.Interviewswith

theheadsoftheKazakhstanPostandtheStatePostBureauofChinademonstratehowcountriesare

workingontransformationonanationallevel.

Ofcourse,thesectorcannotsecureastrongfuturewithoutlookingtothelessonsofitspast.InlightoftheUPU’s150thanniversaryyear,we’vetakena

specialangleonpostalhistorythroughtheeyesofthesector’sownhistorians.

Asalways,Iwishyouhappyreading.

KAYLAREDSTONE

Editor-in-chief

UPUFORUM

2024UPUPOSTALLEADERSFORUMSDRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

2024UPUPOSTAL

LEADERSFORUMS

DRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

STRATEGYPILLAR1

In2023,UPUlauncheditsrst-everregionalforumforpostalleadersinAfrica.Followingtheeventssuccess,theorganizationrolledouttheconceptforthe

Arabregionandsmallislanddevelopingstates(SIDS)toensureallmember

countriesbigandsmallhavespacetovoicetheirchallengesandharnesstheiropportunitiesthroughthedigitaltransformationprocess.

TextbyKAYLAREDSTONE

NicolasMayencourt,FounderandGlobalCEOofDreamlabTechnologies,speaksduringtheArabPostalLeadersForum.Photo:OmanPost.

8

MOVINGTHEPOSTALSECTORFORWARDSINCE1875

2024UPUPOSTALLEADERSFORUMSDRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

UPUFORUM

TheArabPostalLeadersForumwas

heldbetween12and14February

thisyearinMuscat,Oman,gatheringpostalleadersfrom18countriesintheregion.AsimilarPostalLeadersForumforsmallislanddevelopingstates

(SIDS)washeld5to7MarchinMahé,Seychelles,bringingtogetherleadersfrom30SIDSpostaloperators.

Theirprogrammes–whichbrought

togetherspeakersfromposts,thewider

postalsector,theUnitedNationsandotherinternationalandregionalorganizations

–focusedonharnessingthepotentialof

postaldigitalization,takingintoaccount

theuniquesituationofeachgroupof

countriesthroughpartnership,knowledge-sharing,technicalassistanceandreform.

ThemeetingsprovidedauniqueopportunityforUPUConsultative

Committeememberstocometogether

withmembercountriestohighlighthow

theirsolutionscouldhelpaddresscountries’challengesorhelpthembettermobilizetograsptheopportunitiesofdigitalization.

Newconcept

Indescribingtherationalebehindthenewseriesofevents,UPU

DevelopmentCooperationDirector

MutuaMuthusihighlightshowthey

havehelpedincreasetheorganization’sengagementwithpostalCEOs.

“Ithasbeenestablishedthatforcloseto60%ofUPUmembercountries,theonlyinteractiontheyhavewiththe

UPUisthroughtherespectiveregionalprogrammes.Wealsofeltthatan

opportunitytogathertheregionalpostal

CEOstogetherwouldbeenriching

becausewewouldalsoprovidethem

withaplatformtointeractamong

themselves,shareexperiencesandlearnfromoneanother,”saysMuthusi.

WithouttheForums,Muthusiexplains

thattheUPUmayonlyhavethechanceto

benefitfromtheirvisionandinputduringitsquadrennialCongresses,duringwhichtheremaynotbesufficienttimefordiscussion.

Havingadedicatedspace,including

tailor-madedeclarations,hasprovided

valuablefeedbackthattheorganizationcantakeintoaccountwhiledraftingits

nextRegionalDevelopmentPlans,aswellastheDubaiStrategyfor2026-2029.

MihretWoodmatas,seniorICTexpert,AfricanUnionCommission,leadsapanelonleveraginge-commerceinsmallislandsduringtheSIDSPostalLeadersForum.Photo:SeychellesPostalService

“The(ArabPostal

Leaders)Forumsupportsmembercountriesand

regionalbodiesintheir

developmentofeffectiveandefficientpolicyandregulatoryframeworkstofosterpostaldevelopmentasakeybuildingblock

ofaninclusiveand

sustainabledigitalsocietyandeconomy.”

MuscatDeclaration,2024

Theideahasbeenwellreceivedacross

thesector,gainingnotonlyinterestfromparticipants,buttangiblesupport.

“Anotherfeaturethatispositiveabout

theseforumsisthatwehavebeenableto

attractsponsorshipfrompartnerstomeetthefinancialrequirementsofhostingthe

events.ThesponsorshipshavecomemainlyfrommembersofConsultativeCommittee,butalsofromotherorganizationswithin

thehostcountries,”saysMuthusi.

Digitalizationdeclarations

Eachmeetingresultedinacustomizeddeclarationforeachregion,named

accordinglyaftertheirhostcities.

FortheArabregion,theMuscatDeclarationemphasizestheimportanceoffostering

collaborationamongregulatorybodies,

governments,industrystakeholders,and

internationalorganizationstoenhance

postalconnectivityby2030.Itadvocates

forpoliciespromotingaffordabledigital

services,encouragesinnovationwithin

postalnetworks,andstressestheneedfor

cybersecurityimprovements.ThisincludesacalltoactionfortheUPUanddevelopment-orientedstakeholderstotakeproactivestepstosupportthedeclaration’simplementation.

ForSIDS,theMahéDeclarationfocuses

onleveragingpostalnetworkstobridgethedigitaldivideandpromotesustainablegrowthinSIDS,emphasizingthepotentialofpostalinfrastructuretoextenddigital,financial,ande-commerceservicesto

remoteareas.Ithighlightstheroleof

9

UNIONPOSTALE|SUMMER2024

STRATEGYPILLAR1

UPUFORUM

UPUPOSTALLEADERSFORUMSDRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

PaositraMalagasyCEORichardRanarisonraisesMadagascar’sflagduringtheSIDSPostalLead-ersForum.Photo:SeychellesPostalService

designatedoperatorsinfacilitatingtheuptakeofdigitalservicesandenhancingdigitalinclusion,particularlythrough

public-privatepartnerships,callingongovernmentstoincludethepostintheirnationaldevelopmentanddigitaltransformationstrategies.

Thedeclarationalsopledgestopromotecollaboration,advocateforinclusive

postalstaff’sdigitalskills,andimprovecybersecurity,urginggovernments

toutilizeuniversalservicefundsfordigitalinfrastructuredeployment.

EncouragedbythehighparticipationofseniorpostalleadershipincomparisontootherUPUevents,theUPU

secretariatiscurrentlyintheprocessoforganizingforumsinotherregions,aswellassecondeditions.KR

“Weherebypledge

toencouragethe

involvementofregulatorybodies,governments,

industrystakeholdersandinternationalorganizationstofosteracollaborativeapproachtowardsenablingfulldigitalandphysical

connectivityofpostofficesby2030”

MahéDeclaration,2024

accesstodigitalservices,enhance

UPUDeputyDirectorGeneralMarjanOsvaldledadiscussiononcooperationwithairlinesduringtheUPU’sSIDSPostalLeadersForum.

10

MOVINGTHEPOSTALSECTORFORWARDSINCE1875

UPUPOSTALLEADERSFORUMSDRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

UPUFORUM

SPOTLIGHTONSIDS

Whilenotcomprisinga“region”oftheirown,SIDSshareanumberofcommonchallengesduetotheirsizeandgeography.Onthesidelines

oftheSIDSPostalLeadersForuminMahé,Seychelles,theUPUhadthechancetospeakwithseveralleaderstolearnmoreabouttheirareasoffocusandwhattheyhopedtogainfromthediscussions.

“Oneofthetopicsthatcameup(attheSIDSPostalLeadersForum)wasthepotential

forpoststousetheaddressdatabasecapabilitiesto

maximizerevenueandprovidesocialservicestomeetthe

sustainabledevelopmentgoalsforourrespectivecountries,sowe’relookingatthatasanopportunityforTTPOST.”

GeorgeAlexis

ActingManagingDirector,TrinidadandTobagoPostalCorporation(TTPOST)

“Ithinkit(theForum)has

madeusrealizethatallposts,especiallythesmallones,haveverysimilarissuesandthat…ifwecanallworktogetherasagrouptosupporteachotherandnegotiatewithpartners,maybewe’llgetbettercontractdealstobeabletotakeawaythehugecoststhatimpactsmallpostsindoingbusiness,inmaking

surepublicserviceoperates.”

MariellaBuisson

CEO,SeychellesPost

11

UNIONPOSTALE|SUMMER2024

STRATEGYPILLAR1

LEADERSFORUMSDRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

UPUPOSTAL

UPUFORUM

“Oneopportunitythatwesaw(attheForum)andwewanttotakeadvantageof–anditcameoutinthediscussionwithMr

GopalfromShip2MyID–wasforeverybodyhavinganaddress.Notaphysicaladdress,buta

(digital)addresssothatyoucanreachthemwherevertheymove.Soiftheymovefromoneside

oftheislandtotheother,onceyouhaveaGPSlocationforthemyoucanalwaysshiptothem.”

“Foroursmallisland,ourpostaloperationsarenotfunctioningatanacceptablelevel,bywhichImeantheyarenotrunningataprofit–it’salwaysataloss.

Buthere,listeningtoother

smallcountries’CEOsand

representativespresenthow

theyexpandedtheirtypeof

businesstofinancialinstitutionsandsuch,it’sagoodwayforustolookatwaysthatwecangoonandliaisewithUPUtoassistus.”

CareyBrown

DeputyPostmaster

General,JamaicaPost

Lotomo’uaTu’ungafasi

CEO,TongaPost

“(Oneoftheopportunitieswe

aretryingtotakeadvantageof)ishavingourentrepreneursinBelizebeingabletosenditemsinternationallytoothersuppliers…CominghereatthisForumwasquiteinterestingbecausewe’vemetwithdifferentstakeholdersandheardfromdifferentpostofficestoseewhatthey’re

doingandhowwecanmakea

difference.Wespoketooneofthestakeholderssayingthat

theyhaveamarketplacealready,theyhavethelinktoallofthosesuppliersandcustomers,so

thatmakesiteasierforusatBelizePosttoatleastgetintothatnetworkandseehowwecandobusinessthere.”

MarshaPrice

PostmasterGeneral,BelizePostalService

12

MOVINGTHEPOSTALSECTORFORWARDSINCE1875

UPUPOSTALLEADERSFORUMSDRIVEDIGITALIZATIONDISCUSSIONS

UPUFORUM

“IthinkforustheSIDS

conferencewasveryeye-openingbecauseit’snotsomethingthatwetalkaboutonaregularbasis.

Allofusareusedtofocusingonthebigcountries.Thedynamicsareabitdifferentandasan

airlineyounormallyhavea

solutionthatfitseverybody,

butthenwithsmallerislands

wehavetothinkofthesolutionabitdifferently.There’salot

morepartnershiprequired,

potentiallywithotherairlines

maybeevenwithseacarriersincertainplaces,ifrequired,sothedynamicsareabitdifferent.“

RamVignesh

ProductManagerfor

eCommerceandPostalMail,EtihadCargoPostalService

OmanhostedtheUPU’sArabPostalLeadersForuminFebruary.Photo:OmanPost

InternationalTelecommunicationsUnionSeniorProgrammeOfficerNancySundberg

Watchthefullinterviewshere:

/watch?v=zy

fF9Dqihgw&list=PLqiPfpT90h34n9wZ-

T76uzfxyZfrlWAJuV

presentsduringapanelondigitaldividechallengesduringtheSIDSPostalLeadersForum.Photo:SeychellesPostalService

13

UNIONPOSTALE|SUMMER2024

UPUAT150

ANINTERVIEWWITHUSPSHISTORIANSTEPHENKOCHERSPERGER

ANINTERVIEWWITH

USPSHISTORIANSTEPHENKOCHERSPERGER

InFebruarythisyear,theUPUhosteditsfirst-everinternationalHistorian’sColloquium,whichbroughttogether40academicsandhistorians,as

wellasphilatelistsfrommore

than16countriesaroundthe

world,todiscussthedevelopmentofa“singlepostalterritory”.

TextbyHELENNORMAN

Oneoftheleadspeakersattheevent,whichwasheldaspartoftheUPU’s150thanniversarycelebrations,wasStephenA.Kochersperger,HistorianandCorporate

InformationServicesManagerattheUnitedStates

PostalService(USPS).KocherspergerspokeaboutthetransnationalinfluencesimpactingthedevelopmentoftheUS’sparcelpostbetween1887and1984.

AccordingtoKochersperger,theU.S.wasoneofthe

world’slastmajornationstoestablishadomesticparcelpost,andamongthelasttoaccedetotheUPUPostal

ParcelsAgreement,whichgovernstheexchangeofpostalparcelsbetweencontractingcountries.

Speakingaboutwhyhedecidedtocoverthistopic,

Kocherspergersaid,“IthoughtitcuriousthattheUnitedStateswassuchanoutlierindevelopingparcelpost

andIwantedtounderstandthereasonsbehindit.”

14

MOVINGTHEPOSTALSECTORFORWARDSINCE1875

ANINTERVIEWWITHUSPSHISTORIAN

Starroutecarrier,ca.1891.IdaMalottposesforaphotographonherhorsecirca1891.

Shewasoneofasmallnumberofwomenknowntohavecarriedmailinthe19thcentury.(Photo:from‘TheStoryofOurPostOffice’(Cushing,1893),providedbyUSPS)

UPUAT150

STEPHENKOCHERSPERGER

ofgoods,includingairparcelpost.Containerizationandcomputerizationstreamlinedthehandling

ofparcels.Newtechnologiesincreaseddemandforgoodsandforfasterdelivery,”headded.

Followingthewar,theUPUdevisedmethodsforparcelstotravelandclearcustomsmorequickly.TheUPUworkedtorefineratesandregulations,andtackledthethornyissuesofterminaldues,transitcharges,andlandandsearates.

“Meanwhile,alackofconsensusandnewtechnologies

createdopeningsforprivatesectorcompetition,”explainedKochersperger.“Reorganizationofthepostaladministrationsinmanycountries,includingtheUSPS,requiredthemto

beself-funded.Theworld’spostaladministrationsfacedanincreasinglycompetitiveglobalparcelpostnetwork.”

Itwasthiscompetitivelandscapethatdrovethe

U.S.tofinallyjointheUPUPostalParcelsAgreementin1984–morethan70yearsafterthecountry

firstestablisheditsdomesticparcelpost.

Theworkofahistorian

ResearchingtopicslikethisiswhatdrivesKocherspergerinhisroleasapostalhistorian.“Ihavealwaysbeen

captivatedbyhistory,andmyfascinationwiththepostal

Transnationalinfluencesonparcelpost

Duringhispresentation,KocherspergeroutlinedthatdomesticparcelpostintheU.S.wasn’tintroduceduntil1913–threedecadesaftertheUPUconcludeditsfirst

internationalparcelpostconventionin1880.Thiswasmainlyduetogeographic,technological,andpoliticalissues.

TheUSwasevenslowertojointheUPUPostalParcels

Agreement,withthecountrynotjoininguntil1984attheHamburgCongress.Priortothis,theU.S.maintainedanarrayofbilateralandmultilateralagreements,whichweremotivatedbyprotectionism,Kocherspergernoted.

“TheU.S.favouredparcelpostagreementswithWesternHemispherecountries,whileavoidingagreementswithEuropeannations,”hesaid.“WhentheU.S.eventually

enteredEuropeanagreements,theyweremorelimitedthantheagreementswithAmericannations.”

KocherspergerexplainedhowWorldWarIIcauseda

dramaticshiftinU.S.parcelpostduetoneweconomic

realities,politicalrealignments,andtechnologicaladvances.“TheeconomiesofmostEuropeanandAsiannationswereinruinsafterthewar,”hesaid.“FormerU.S.competitors

weresuddenlypartnersinthemutualprojectofrebuilding.”

U.S.policyoninternationalparcelsadjustedaccordinglyandalthoughitwasstillbasedonbilateralagreements,protectionismtookabackseattoeasingtheflowof

parcelstowar-tornregions.“Wartimeadvancesintransportationfacilitatedthepost-warmovement

servicebeganwhenIstartedcollectingstampsasaboy,”hesaid.“LittledidIknowthatthosethingswouldleadmetoacareerintheUSPSthathasspannedfourdecades.Ilearnnewthingseverydayandtheworkisneverboring.”

AccordingtoKochersperger,theroleofthepostalhistorianisextremelyimportantasit“remindsthepublichowimportantthemailhasbeenthroughouthistory.”Headded:“The

postissoubiquitousthatmostpeopletakeitforgranted,

Scalesandhandstamps,1925.PostmasterGeneralHarryNewmailspackagesinWashington,D.C.,onDecember1,1925;thewindow

clerkhasscalestoweighparcelsandletters,aswellaspostmarkinghandstamps,closeathand.In1925NewdeclaredChristmasDaya

holidayforlettercarriersandurgedthepublictoshopandmailearlyforChristmas.(Photo:collectionofLibraryofCongress,providedbyUSPS)

15

UNIONPOSTALE|SUMMER2024

UPUAT150

ANINTERVIEWWITHUSPSHISTORIANSTEPHENKOCHERSPERGER

Christmasparcels,ca.1920.RuralcarriersinWaynesboro,Virginia,loadtheirvehicleswithparcelsthedaybeforeChristmas,circa1920.WhenruralfreedeliverybeganinWaynesboroin1903,theweightlimitforparcelsshippe