ORE+ is a flagship multi‑year development and cooperation initiative from the UPU, designed to modernize postal operations, strengthen regional expertise and expand the capacity of designated operators (DOs) to support global e‑commerce and cross‑border trade.

Running from 2026 to 2029, ORE+ is aimed at driving the modernization and regionalization of the postal ecosystem, in alignment with the UPU Strategy 2026–2029. The project is focused on enhancing operational efficiency, digital transformation, supply chain interoperability and market inclusion, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – including women‑led businesses – and underserved communities.

The global postal sector is undergoing profound change. Rapid e‑commerce growth, new regulatory pressures, security risks, shrinking de minimis thresholds and shifting business models (from B2C to B2B2C) require DOs to transform quickly.

At the same time, the international postal network faces:

• increasingly complex security and regulatory requirements;
• rising expectations for digital data exchange, including electronic advance data (EAD);
• growing pressure for interoperability, visibility and compliance;
• the need for robust logistics, multimodal transport and supply chain integration;
• a shift towards shipment‑centric business models;
• greater demand for inclusive and affordable access to global markets.

ORE+ responds to these challenges by enabling Posts to become competitive, resilient and inclusive actors in the global e‑commerce and logistics ecosystem.

ORE+ is aimed at transforming regional postal networks into agile, future‑ready ecosystems capable of supporting efficient, secure and predictable cross‑border commerce.

The global objective is to strengthen regional postal networks as key enablers of innovation, operational efficiency, digital transformation, trade facilitation and inclusive access to global markets, while ensuring full compliance with UPU standards.

The specific objectives are to transform regional offices into fully fledged centres of expertise, enable end-to-end digital and paper-free postal operations, and build integrated regional e-commerce and logistics frameworks.

They also aim to strengthen human and institutional capacity through targeted training and peer learning, promote evidence-based policy and advocacy for postal-sector-enabled trade, and facilitate South–South and triangular cooperation.

In addition, they seek to expand inclusion for MSMEs, women entrepreneurs and rural artisans through TradePost and Heya, while enhancing cooperation across the postal, transport, customs and regulatory ecosystem.

To meet its objectives, ORE+ focuses on interventions across the most critical areas of the global postal network:

1. Operational efficiency and modernization: streamlining cross‑border operations, upgrading physical postal services, and improving end‑to‑end visibility and service reliability.

2. Digital transformation: achieving fully paper‑free, EDI‑based operations, integrating UPU systems and digital platforms, and strengthening cybersecurity and data quality.

3. Integrated logistics and e‑commerce: developing regional logistics frameworks, enhancing first‑ and last‑mile delivery, building cooperation with carriers, customs administrations and wider postal sector players (WPSPs).

4. Inclusivity and trade facilitation: enabling MSMEs and women entrepreneurs to access global markets, establishing TradePost one‑stop shops and mobile post office solutions, supporting rural e‑commerce hubs.

5. Compliance and interoperability: ensuring alignment with UPU global standards, strengthening customs, transport and security processes, and supporting regulatory modernization.

ORE+ is implemented through three mutually reinforcing pillars.

The first focuses on modular process improvement and expertise building, combining blended and modular e-learning with hands-on technical assistance, diagnostics and on-site implementation coaching, while ensuring the progressive transfer of skills to regional experts.

The second pillar centres on a collaborative community and knowledge centre, featuring a centralized digital knowledge hub, technical resources, toolkits and best practices, as well as communities of practice, expert forums, and regional webinars and workshops. 

The third pillar promotes standardization for sustainability and enhanced customer experience, through harmonized operational processes and key performance indicators, regular regional and national performance reviews, continuous improvement mechanisms, and stronger interoperability and service consistency.

ORE+ is structured to deliver clear and measurable impacts. By 2029, it is expected that all regional offices will function as centres of expertise, each delivering 10 or more missions per year, while 80% of designated postal operators will have adopted digital, paper-free and EDI-based operations. 

Regional cross-border e-commerce delivery times are projected to be reduced by 20%, with the establishment of at least five regional partnerships to support innovation and funding.

All member countries will benefit from tailored capacity-building programmes, with full compliance with relevant UPU standards among participating designated postal operators. In addition, at least 30% of MSMEs using TradePost and Heya services are expected to be women-led.

2026 – Launch

Project governance set-up, regional and national kick‑off, stakeholder engagement, diagnostic assessments and country‑specific roadmaps

2026-2029 – Implementation phase

Regional and national workshops, on‑site technical assistance missions, virtual thematic training, procurement and deployment of digital tools and equipment, twinning and South–South cooperation initiatives, structured diagnostics, audits and performance reviews

Follow‑up phase

KPI monitoring and quarterly follow‑ups, annual regional performance reviews, corrective actions and improvement plans, recognition and certification mechanisms

ORE+ is implemented through a multi-stakeholder approach:

• UPU International Bureau (DOP, DCDEV, DPRM, DCTP)
• Regional offices and restricted unions
• Designated postal operators
• Governments, customs administrations and civil aviation authorities
• Logistics and industry partners, including carriers and wider postal sector players (WPSPs)
• International organizations such as the World Customs Organization (WCO), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with support of UN Development Programme (UNDP) for procurement and country-level implementation.

This integrated structure ensures alignment, coordination and accountability across all levels.

Monitoring follows a results-based management framework, including quarterly KPI monitoring, annual performance reviews, mid-term and final evaluations, and automated dashboard-based tracking.

To encourage excellence, ORE+ also features a combined certificate of excellence recognizing achievements in operational performance, digital transformation, inclusion, cooperation and sustainability, with awards issued annually and culminating in a final recognition cycle in 2029.

Through ORE+, the UPU is committed to building a global postal ecosystem that is modern, interoperable, digitally empowered, inclusive, resilient and trade-facilitating.

By empowering regional expertise, supporting designated operators, and enabling MSMEs and women entrepreneurs to reach global markets, ORE+ contributes directly to sustainable economic growth and inclusive participation in global commerce.

Access tools, guidance materials, training modules and the latest project updates:

ORE+ workspace (accessible by UPU members only)

Access and download the ORE+ brochure here (currently available in English only).

For more information about the ORE+ project or engagement opportunities, please contact: 

ORE+ Project Team, UPU International Bureau
E-mail: ORE@upu.int