Universal Postal Union

Subject – IR

Context – UN bans British stamps in Chagos Island.

Concept –

A specialized agency of United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to worldwide postal system.
Established in 1874 and is second oldest international organization worldwide after International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which was established in 1865.
Headquartered in Berne, Switzerland.
Has 192 member countries.
It is primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players among member countries.
UPU has four units: the Congress, the Council of Administration, the International Bureau, and the Postal Operations Council.
Regulates40 lakh postal outlets worldwide.
India joined the UPU on July 1,
It frames rules for international mail exchange and fixes rates for International postal services.
It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
UPU provides recommendations for growth in mail, parcel and financial services and to improves the customer’s quality of service.