Addressing the world

An address is more than just a house number; it can provide an identity for each person and is an essential infrastructure for nations. Addresses serve as a basic means of communication between people, public service institutions and businesses. 

The UPU has been helping countries develop and improve their addressing and postcode systems for many years. In 2009, it launched the “Addressing the world – An address for everyone” initiative, collaborating with United Nations organizations, intergovernmental institutions and other stakeholders to put addressing at the top of public-policy agendas. 

At the 25th Universal Postal Congress, being held in Doha, Qatar, from 24 September to 15 October 2012, addressing was a key issue of debate. Tanzania's minister for lands, housing and human settlements development, Anna Tibaijuka, also the UPU's special ambassador for the addressing initiative, invited member countries to support an Addressing Declaration and include the development of sound address infrastructure in national policies to further social and economic development.

A white paper accompanies the Declaration, highlighting the value of addressing for various stakeholders, including many international organizations.

To read more, please click on the following link : http://news.upu.int/features/addressing/article/