Press release: Japanese and Slovenian representatives to head UPU (Revised)

Abidjan/Berne. Masahiko Metoki of Japan has been elected the new Director General of the UN specialized agency for postal matters, while Marjan Osvald of Slovenia has been elected as the organization's Deputy Director General.

In the first round of votes, held at the 27th Universal Postal Congress in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Metoki won 102 votes, compared to 40 votes for Pascal Clivaz of Switzerland and 14 votes for Jack Hamande of Belgium.

Speaking after his election, Mr. Metoki said, "I promise again that I will always work for all the UPU member countries by listening to each voice carefully and by considering your differences."

Mr. Metoki has enjoyed an extensive career in the public service, particularly in the postal sector. He is currently Senior Vice President of International Affairs at Japan Post and has represented Japan as Chair of the UPU's Postal Operations Council since 2012. For further details, please see his bio here.

In the vote for the UPU Deputy Director General, Marjan Osvald of Slovenia was elected on the second round with 86 votes. Mr. Osvald is an accomplished executive with 24 years of progressive experience in international postal operations, strategy and sales.

He is currently a Senior Adviser to the Executive Management of the Post of Slovenia, responsible for international relations and organizations, Mr. Osvald was promoted to this position following 12 years of service as International Mail Director. For further details, please see his bio here

Commenting on his election in a statement after the election, Mr. Osvald said, “I am so happy to be here and so very proud.”

 (This press release has been revised from a previous version)

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The Universal Postal Union is a UN specialized agency with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne. Established in 1874, it is one of the world’s oldest international organizations and is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.
 
For further information on the UPU Ministerial Conference 2021, go to:
https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Bodies/Congress#ministerial-conference
For further information on the Abidjan sessions, go to:
https://www.upu.int/en/Events/Side-Events-27th-Universal-Postal-Congress

For further information, please contact:
David Dadge
Communication and Events Manager,
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Executive Office Directorate
Mobile Telephone: +225 566 994 973
Email: david.dadge@upu.int