Berne, 9 October 2015
Innovation,
Integration and Inclusion are the key drivers for the future of the Post
As we celebrate World Post Day today, we can look back with satisfaction
on a rich history of transformation in the Post, which has always been able to
find its place in the world market. Indeed, the Post can pride itself on being
the oldest medium of communication, one that still plays a key role in the
sending of information and goods.
From liberalization to privatization and the emergence of competition,
the Post has faced many challenges to its survival, but none so daunting as the
development of modern information technology. Today, the traditional postal
business line – letter post – has been greatly challenged by faster and more
efficient ways of communication thanks to advancements in information and
communications technologies.
However, successful Posts have taken these challenges as opportunities
to innovate and establish new market segments, understanding that a faster and
more efficient communication medium is actually what the Post needs in order to
build a new business value chain.
The transformation has not come easily. Indeed, there are still many
Posts that have yet to take full advantage of new technologies to improve their
business performance. Nevertheless, the message is loud and clear: the survival
of the Post hinges on its ability to quickly change and
innovate. Customer expectations, needs and tastes are changing, and the Post
must change as well to meet these new demands.
With that realization, the Universal Postal Union, in its draft World
Postal Strategy for 2017–2020, has identified postal industry reform as the key
driver for the future. In its blueprint, Vision 2020, the UPU focuses on
Innovation, Integration and Inclusion as the main factors that will drive
postal business in the future.
The reality is that the future of the Post strongly depends on its
ability to innovate and create new products and services. One of the keys to
innovation will be the Post’s capacity to embrace new technologies and transfer
its trusted brands into the digital space. To achieve this, it will be critical
for the Post to develop digital competencies, along with the relevant
regulatory frameworks that will support the new environment.
For successful integration, the Post will need to build a seamless
network that is connected both virtually and physically, and that has a local
and international presence. Full integration calls for the involvement of all
key players in the postal supply chain, including customs and transport, and
the facilitation of cross-border e-commerce.
With the United Nations’ new Sustainable Development Goals, which have
been embraced by world leaders, the Post today has an even more relevant role
to play as an infrastructure for development. Given
its universal nature, the Post is best placed to drive the economic, social,
financial and digital inclusion of all citizens of the world. Through its vast
network, the Post should target micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as
well as the unbanked population as a new business frontier and create
appropriate products to support the market. Achieving success in this area is
one of the best ways to ensure the achievement of the Sustainable Development
Goals, for the benefit of the global community.
The future of the Post starts now. We must all work towards creating
products and services that meet the needs of our current and future customers.
Let us focus on innovation, integration and inclusion in our business to create
a strong Post for the future. Only in
doing so will the Post be able to achieve success and maintain its place in the
world market, with a presence that continues to be visible and relevant.
I wish you a happy World Post Day.
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