UPU conference on postal regulation (S2) 2026

The conference will be streamed live on UPU TV here.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) holds a conference on postal regulation during each Council of Administration (CA) session, as a forum for the dissemination of information and sharing of experiences and best practices in the field. Previous editions of the conference have attracted a great deal of attention and interest from governmental, regulatory and operational entities, as well as from external stakeholders.

The second conference of the Dubai Congress cycle will be held on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 (9.00–13.00 CET) at UPU headquarters in Berne, Switzerland.

The S2 edition of the UPU conference on postal regulation, which will be held on the theme “Bridging demand and duty: rethinking user needs within the USO scope”, will take a two-pronged approach to the most fundamental question of the universal postal service in a time of substitution and reshaped markets: how to secure a financially sustainable universal postal service that also meets the needs of postal users and the general public. Put differently, the conference will explore pragmatic trade-offs in aligning user needs and expectations (i.e. “wants”) with feasible “ways”.

Consequently, the S2 conference will examine various approaches to the consideration of universal service provision by policymakers and national regulatory authorities. Its aim is to support informed decision-making that balances user needs, minimizes adverse effects (such as distortions of competition in relevant markets), and maximizes cost efficiencies to promote financial sustainability.

For inquiries, please contact the CA C 2 secretariat: CA.C2.Secretariat(at)upu.int

Programme

Moderator: (To be confirmed)

9.00–9.10          Opening remarks
                            Mr Masahiko Metoki, UPU Director General

9.10–10.00        Keynote speech
                            Mr Mindaugas Cerpickis, Partner, Copenhagen Economics

The keynote speech will take the form of a scene-setting presentation on the main drivers and trends in relation to evolving user needs and how these affect the provision of the universal postal service. This presentation will explore regulatory models that could support a sustainable and user-centric universal postal service in the long term, in order to respond effectively to user needs for affordability, broad coverage, accessibility and service quality through the design of a flexible, market-relevant and evidence-based universal postal service.

10.00–11.15      Panel 1: Wants – expectations and demand

This panel will examine current and emerging user needs and expectations vis-à-vis postal services, as evidenced in recent consumer research. Drawing on regular assessments that include both quantitative and qualitative research with regard to residential consumers, small and medium enterprises and vulnerable users, this panel will consider how market developments influence expectations with regard to affordability, access, coverage and service frequency.

Panellists:

• Mr David Levitt, Senior Policy Manager, Infrastructure and Connectivity Group, Ofcom
• Mr Özhan Zurel, Head of Postal Market Department, Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT)

11.15–12.45      Panel 2: Policy priorities for a future-ready universal postal service

Informed by the outcomes of panel 1, this panel will explore policy options for sustaining the universal postal service, including further reforms to contain costs and alternative approaches to redesigning the universal service obligation (USO) in line with current and future user needs. It will consider positive-sum solutions that transcend national policy silos or new solutions to support financially sustainable delivery models.

Panellists:

• Mr Shri Subrat Das, Secretary (Posts), Department of Posts, India
• Mr Kennedy Dewera, Director of the Universal Service Fund, Postal and Courier Services, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe
• Mr Peter Hilmer Fuglsang-Damgaard, Head of the Corporate and Preparedness Division, Danish Ministry of Transport

12.45–12.55      Main conclusions and takeaways
                            Moderator

12.55–13.00      Closing remarks
                            Mr Marjan Osvald, UPU Deputy Director General