Arab Postal Leaders Forum 2024

Day 1 – Monday, 12 February 2024

8.30–9.30

Registration and welcome

9.30–10.00

Official opening of the Forum

• H.E. Mr Saeed bin Hamoud bin Saeed Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman

• H.E. Mr Khaled A. Alsenaidi, Assistant Secretary for Economic and Development Affairs, Gulf Cooperation Council

• Mr Masahiko Metoki, Director General, UPU

10.00–10.15

10.15–10.45

Group photo

Coffee break and networking

10.45–11.00

Exploring the theme “The Posts’ digital transformation and innovation journey” 

• Marjan Osvald, UPU Deputy Director General

Morning session
11.00–12.15

Panel 1: The digital economy and the postal sector

Digital technologies and sustainable development are transforming business models, including the postal industry, and are high priorities for governments pursuing economic growth. Posts can play a key role in the development of inclusive access to the services of the digital economy, including e-commerce, e-government, e-health, e-identification and e-finance.

Moderator: Mr Siva Somasundram, Director of Policy, Regulation and Markets, UPU

Speakers: 

• H.E. Dr Ali Al-Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman

• Dr Sharif M. Farouk, Chairman of National Postal Authority, Egypt

• Mr Bassam Al Sarhan, Chairman Board of Commissioners, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Jordan

• Mr Mutua Muthusi, Director of Development and Cooperation, UPU

12.15–12.40

Solutions to address the challenges discussed – E Boks
 

12.40–14.00             Lunch break
 

Afternoon session
14.00–15.15

Panel 2: E-commerce, the driving force behind digital transformation in Posts

Digitalization is transforming economic activities and boosting growth around the world. Digital technologies have a bearing on the prospects for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in global trade through e-commerce. The panel will discuss e-commerce development in the Arab region: digitalization requirements, key success factors for logistics operators, and strategic partnership opportunities between postal operators and e-commerce platforms.

Moderator: Mr Sayyid Nasr AlBusaidi, Chief Postmaster General, Oman Post

Speakers: 

• H.E. Mr Anef Bin Ahmed Abanomai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Post Corporation

• Mr Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Oman Post 

• Mr Siva Somasundram, Director of Policy, Regulation and Markets, UPU

• Mr Santosh Gopal, CEO of Ship2MyID and Vice-Chair of the UPU Consultative Committee

15.15–16.00


18.30–20.30

Solutions to address the challenges discussed – ISITEC
Talabat, Oman

Gala dinner
Meeting point: Forum venue at 17.45
Shuttle leaves for the gala dinner at 18.00

Day 2 – Tuesday, 13 February 2024

​
8.30–9.00

Morning session
9.00–10.15

Welcome coffee

Panel 3: Infrastructure for digital services

Connectivity and digital infrastructure are critical for successful digital transformation. This panel will explore the following key elements:

• Infrastructure development

• ​Mobilizing investment in digital postal infrastructure

• Partners for impact

Moderator: Mr Feras Bakkour, Chairman of the Board, Arab Internet and Telecom Union « ARISPA »

Speakers:

• Mr Faleh Mohammed Al-Naemi, Chair of the Board of Directors, Qatar Postal Services Company

• Mr Sami Mekki, Director General, La Poste Tunisienne

• Dr Saoud Al Shoaili, Director General of Policies and Governance, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman 

• Mr Amr Hashem, Policy Director for Middle East and North Africa, GSM Association
   

10.15–10.45


10.45–11.00


11.00–11.15

Solutions to address the challenges discussed – Beyon connect


Launch of a joint stamp between Oman and Morocco


Coffee break and networking
 

11.15–12.30

Panel 4: Digital transformation enablers

Once there is access to connectivity and digital infrastructure, several key elements have to be addressed to advance inclusive digital transformation:

• Capacity building

• Diversification of digital services adoption

• Partners for impact

Moderator: Mr Lati Matata, Director of the Postal Technology Centre, UPU

Speakers:

• Eng. Mohammed Ali Al Aghbari, Director General, Oman Logistics Center (OLC), Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman

• Mr Walter Trezek, Chair of the UPU Consultative Committee

• Dr Anders Ørding Olsen, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Strategy, e-Boks

12.30–13.00

Solutions to address the challenges discus– sed Asyad Express, Oman

13.00–14.00             Lunch break
 

Afternoon session
14.00–15.15

Panel 5: Postal infrastructure – ensuring cyber resilience

In recent years, the world has witnessed a significant increase in cyber threats targeting commercial organizations and national infrastructure. With the increased digitalization of the economy and postal services comes greater risk. These attacks pose a serious threat to the integrity, confidentiality and availability of essential postal services. How do we build harmonized and collaborative protection between sectors? How do we foster secure and sustainable digitization of Posts?

The session aims to:

• Raise awareness about the escalating cybersecurity threats

• Foster collaboration and information sharing between stakeholders to  enhance the overall cybersecurity situation

• Identify best practices, technologies and policies to strengthen the resilience of postal systems against cyber threats

Moderator: TBC

Speakers: 

• Ms Rasha Al Abdali, Assistant Director General of Policies and Governance, Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Oman

• Mr Nicolas Mayencourt, Founder and CEO, Dreamlab Technologies 

• Mr Mohamed Ben Amor, Director General, Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization

• Mr Lati Matata, Director of the Postal Technology Centre, UPU
   

15.15–16.00

Day 3 – Wednesday, 14 February 2024

8.30–9.00

Morning session
9.00–10.30

Welcome coffee

Innovation partnerships

This session aims to explore strategies, share best practices, and foster meaningful collaborations that can enhance the delivery of efficient and innovative digital services. The session will:

• Highlight the importance of partnerships in driving successful digital transformation in public infrastructure

• Identify best practices and lessons learned from successful partnership models across various domains: postal sector, international organizations and private sector

• Explore innovative strategies and technologies that can be leveraged for digital infra¬structure development and service delivery

Moderator: Mr Sayyid Nasr AlBusaidi, Chief Postmaster General, Oman Post

Startup session:

• Tm Done 
• Nool
• Genacom 
• VFS
• Egolesi 
• Stampsmart
• LinkSmartDNA
• Geomain
• Shipsy

10.30–10.45


10.45–11.00


Afternoon session
11.00–12.30
 

Signing of the cooperation agreement between Oman Post and Palestine Post


Coffee break


Panel 6: CEO round table

The final round table aims to bring together participants in a dialogue to define the key elements of digital transformation and diversification of services in the region.

Moderator: Mr Walter Trezek, Chair of the UPU Consultative Committee

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr Anef Bin Ahmed Abanomai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Post Corporation

• Mr Bahnan Ali Maidal, Director General, La Poste de Djibouti

• Dr Sharif M. Farouk, Chairman, Egypt Post

• Ms Hanadi Al Tayyeb, Director General, Jordan Post Company

• Mr Amin Benjelloun Touimi, Director General, Poste Maroc

• Mr Alioune Ould Issa, Director General, Mauripost 

• Mr Ibrahim bin Sultan Alhosni, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Oman Post

• Mr Faleh Mohammed Al-Naemi, Chair of the Board of Directors, Qatar Postal Services Company

• Mr Sami Mekki, Director General, La Poste Tunisienne

12.30–13.00

13.00–14.00

Muscat Declaration adopted and closing

Lunch break