Amsterdam, October 2024
The Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) Consultative Committee (CC) played a prominent role at the World Leaders Forum (WLF) and Parcel+Post Expo in Amsterdam, where leaders from the postal and logistics sectors gathered to discuss the present and future of the industry under the theme “Smart and Collaborative Solutions to Enhance Customer Trust.” Throughout the event, the CC, the UPU’s primary platform for private-sector collaboration, offered critical insights into some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, from cross-sector partnerships to artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and women’s leadership.
The full event programme can be found here.
Innovative partnerships to foster customer trust and enhance serviceA key highlight of the CC’s participation was its focus on successful partnerships that exemplify collaboration within the postal sector. These showcases, prominently featured during the event’s main panel sessions, highlighted practical innovations transforming postal operations and enhancing customer trust.
Speaking on the cross-border e-commerce, Hurricane Commerce and An Post (Ireland) shared their collaboration in optimizing customs processes, significantly reducing delays and improving transparency for customers.
AfterShip and Ukrposhta demonstrated their joint initiatives to support Ukrainian merchants with efficient tracking solutions, showcasing resilience and adaptability in challenging operational contexts.
From a digitization perspective, GN TEQ and Saudi Post (SPL) highlighted their collaboration in enhancing SPL’s logistics operations by digitizing processes to improve efficiency and drive revenue growth in cross-border e-commerce. The project involved automating customer onboarding, customs clearance, billing, and tracking, significantly boosting shipment volumes and delivery success rates in Saudi Arabia.
Discussing intelligent security solutions, SF Express and the State Post Bureau of China presented their implementation of an intelligent cloud security inspection platform. This initiative enhances safety for postal workers and customers, improves customer satisfaction, and strengthens collaboration with global post and logistics partners.
These partnerships illustrate the CC’s role in fostering solutions that address real-world challenges while championing cross-industry collaboration, essential for driving innovation and sector-wide progress.
Advancing women’s leadership and strengthening cybersecurity in the postal sector
Promoting women’s leadership and cybersecurity in the postal sector were also among key discussion themes. Women executives, including Siobhan MacDermott of 8 Degrees East and her postal counterparts, shared insights on how gender-inclusive leadership fosters innovation and drives sustainable growth in a traditionally men-dominated sector. In cybersecurity, Dr. Sushan Banerjee of Beyon Connect and Siobhan MacDermott discussed modern strategies for combating evolving cyber threats and ensuring secure postal operations in an increasingly digitalized world.
Building on the UPU’s legacy to accelerate innovation
The event also celebrated the UPU’s 150th anniversary with a reception sponsored by Beyon Connect, marking a significant milestone in the Union’s legacy of global postal cooperation.
In addition to more formal sessions, there was a number of networking and presentation opportunities during coffee breaks. Escher Group and Posti (Finland) showcased an AI-powered Optical Character Recognition (OCR) solution designed to revolutionize postal processing, offering seamless integration and enhanced efficiency. Similarly, Zonos and Hurricane Commerce highlighted their collaboration with the UPU Postal Technology Centre on the new Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) project, simplifying cross-border shipping and providing customers with a clearer, hassle-free purchasing experience.
These informal settings allowed participants to exchange ideas, explore cutting-edge projects, and reflect on the UPU’s role in advancing postal technology and cross-border commerce.
CC’s vision: Collaboration and innovation in global postal services
CC members participated in interviews (watch the videos here), sharing personalized perspectives on their organizational contributions and visions for the sector’s future. These conversations offered attendees deeper insights into the CC’s commitment to innovation and collaboration, reinforcing the Committee’s influence in shaping the postal ecosystem.
Through active involvement in panels, partnership showcases, and discussions, CC members reaffirmed the Committee’s position as a driving force behind collaborative solutions and technological advancements in the postal sector. As the industry continues to adapt to evolving challenges, the CC’s contributions at the 2024 WLF and Post Expo underscore the importance of partnerships, innovation, and inclusivity in creating a secure, customer-centric future for global postal services.
More about the event in photos, click here.