Closing remarks by the UPU Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz during the Conference on Postal Regulation "UPU Remuneration Systems - New Frontiers for an Old World?", 9 April 2019, Berne, Switzerland.
Ladies and gentlemen,
First, I would like to thank all the panellists for sharing their views and their perspectives on the many factors affecting the UPU remuneration system. In addition, I would like to express my gratitude to the moderator, Mr. Haig Simonian, for his excellent facilitation of the Conference.
As we have seen, the future of remuneration is central to the provision of sustainable postal services, particularly in the context of trade development. Holding this half-day of lively discussion and intense debate was well timed, as I’m sure the participants have noted at least several points which were relevant in responding to the rapidly changing framework for remuneration in the postal sector.
The members of the first panel went to the heart of the matter when it comes to balancing the ever-increasing competitive nature of postal services with the need for providing universal access to these services.
In panel 2, we gained insights into the economic and political factors influencing postal policy, and how the UPU can take advantage of the growing interconnecting trade considerations in today’s postal sector to fashion a remuneration system which will complement global tendencies in trade development.
And finally, from the third panel, we heard various opinions concerning the future of sustainable remuneration and the factors which must be taken into consideration as we move forward in shaping UPU remuneration for the years to come. Market distortions are a danger which can be minimized with careful study and freedom within range limits can be fashioned as we look to improve upon our current system as it was agreed in the Istanbul Congress.
The UPU is pleased to be able to provide the results of this Conference and the papers which have been submitted in this regard, in the form of a publication entitled “UPU remuneration systems – new frontiers for an old world?” The papers will be reviewed and a selection of them will be published in this volume in June 2019. We look forward to providing you with this publication as a permanent record of the exchange of ideas which has taken place as a prelude to the drafting of the UPU Integrated Remuneration Plan between now and September 2020.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The UPU is a unique global platform for promoting dialogue and exchange between governments, postal regulators designated operators, e-commerce market actors, intergovernmental agencies and civil society. It is a platform which allows participants to ask questions in a spirit of openness and innovation and on the important role our sector can play in advancing sustainable market development, whilst responding to the ever-changing needs and concerns of citizens.
Overall, the discussions held today here in Berne, significantly contributed to the future development of remuneration within the UPU context. The Conference undoubtedly provided a platform for sharing this information, and for establishing collaborative relationships, that will strengthen the role of the UPU and its stakeholders as we move forward to the critical decision-making opportunities at the Abidjan Co
Thank you for your attention and I wish you all a pleasant evening.