Remarks by UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein during the reception for his re-election campaign in Geneva, Switzerland
Your Excellencies Ambassadors, High Commissioners and representatives of governments present here
The Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Kenya, Amb. Amina Mohamed
Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Amb. Dr. Stephen Ndung’u Karau,
The Chairman of the Communications Authority of Kenya, Mr. Ngene Gituku,
The Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, Mr. Francis Wangusi,
Dear Kenyan colleagues and invited guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First, let me thank your Excellencies for accepting the invitation to this function. We have just concluded the Council of Administration meetings at Berne headquarters and I know some of you were either attended or following the deliberations of the forum through your country delegations.
I wish too, to thank the Kenya Government, through the Foreign Affair and International Trade Cabinet Secretary, for yet again supporting my candidacy for the post of Director General of the Universal Postal Union. I received similar backing in 2012 when I vied for the first mandate to lead the Union. I am most grateful.
The Post plays an important role in providing social and financial inclusion to many of the citizens of the world. Apart from being among the oldest means of communication, the Post has for a long time enjoyed trust of customers as a secure means of transmission of parcel and information at local and international level.
At the Universal Postal Union, we are working on the modernization of the Post so that it can continue playing this role more effectively. Indeed, we are positioning the post to be among the vehicles to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals for our members.
Our one world postal network territory is the widest global link that delivers values for businesses and individuals. The universal nature of the post is a key element that ensures all the citizens of the world, regardless of where they live, have access to this mode of communication.
Since taking over as Director General of UPU in January 2013, I have worked closely with members countries to ensure that the post not only serves the role of enabling easier and affordable communication to citizens but also modernized to enable it contributes to economic development of nations. On the latter score, we have provided technical assistance the developing world for capacity building and modernization of the post to best serve their population.
I have also made instituting reforms to Union to make it respond faster, more effectively and efficiently to the changing need and demands of our customers. We have worked on comprehensive reforms of our decision making structures that will help us reduce bureaucracy and wastage in order for the post to compete effectively in the world market. Moreover, we are transforming the post to focus on innovation and technology as the key drivers of the business.
I look forward to your support to enable me accomplish these big projects that we have already put in motion.
Thank you for your attention