On World Post Day, we recognize the invaluable contributions of postal workers to our societies and economies. The vast postal network – involving millions of workers moving billions of pieces of mail through hundreds of thousands of post offices – is woven into our societies, connecting communities the world over. ”
UN Secretary-General's Message
Innovation, Integration and Inclusion
World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services.
In 2015 countries all over the world committed themselves to working together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end extreme poverty and hunger, fight inequality and injustice, and take action to reverse climate change - to name just some of these 17 agreed new Goals. Playing its part in this global effort, the Post today has a more relevant role than ever by providing infrastructure for development.
2021 theme: Innovate to recover
“When COVID-19 affected all the countries of the world, including the established supply chain infrastructure, the Post still found a way to continue offering services to communities.
It is this innovativeness of Posts, and their resilience in serving communities, that we are celebrating on the occasion of World Post Day.”
Statement by UPU Director General 2021
UPU’s International Letter-Writing Competition will celebrates its 50th anniversary
The competition, launched in 1971, aims to promote literacy among the world’s children through the art of letter writing. The annual competition, which now attracts more than 1.2 million global participants each year, encourages young people aged between 9-15 to write letters on a given theme. This year the theme was to “write a letter to a family member about your experience with Covid-19.”
Background
The purpose of World Post Day is to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and businesses’ everyday lives and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries. The celebration encourages member countries to undertake programme activities aimed at generating a broader awareness of their Post’s role and activities among the public and media on a national scale.
Every year, more than 150 countries celebrate World Post Day in a variety of ways. In certain countries, World Post Day is observed as a working holiday. Many Posts use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. Some Posts also use World Post Day to reward their employees for good service.
In many countries, philatelic exhibitions are organized, and new stamps and date cancellation marks are issued. Other activities include the display of World Post Day posters in post offices and other public places, open days at post offices, mail centres and postal museums, the holding of conferences, seminars and workshops, as well as cultural, sport and other recreational activities. Many postal administrations issue special souvenirs such as T-shirts and badges.
For countries participating in the UPU International Letter-Writing Competition, national winners are often honoured on 9 October.
Did you know?
- With a network comprising more than 650,000 offices and 5.3 million staff globally, and a public service mandate from many governments, the Post is unparalleled in its ability to deliver services to anyone, anywhere.
- The first known postal document, found in Egypt, dates from 255 BC. But even before that time postal services existed on nearly every continent in the form of messengers serving kings and emperors.
- The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was first issued in Great Britain, on 1 May 1840, but was not valid for use until 6 May.
2021 poster
Resources
Related Websites
Publications
- 2019 Ranking - Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD)
- Postal economic outlook 2019
- Potential use cases of cryptocurrencies by Posts – A White Paper on Postal Financial Inclusion
Related Observances
- International Day of Family Remittances(16 June)
- United Nations Public Service Day(23 June)
- World Maritime Day (24 September)
- International Civil Aviation Day (7 December)
