BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 13. The opening of the Forum of European and CIS Postal Leaders has concluded in Baku, Trend reports.
The event, which will be held on May 13-15, is organized by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), as well as Azerpost LLC, which operates within the framework of the Azerbaijan Transport and Communication Holding (AZCON).
The forum, dedicated to the theme "Next Horizons: Navigating e-commerce, innovation, and supply chain for future excellence", will be attended by more than 150 representatives from more than 30 countries, including heads of national postal services, high-ranking representatives of e-commerce and technology companies, and international experts in the field.
The aim of the forum is to lay the groundwork for a strategic platform where regional discussions can flourish, ideas can be swapped like hotcakes, and innovation can take center stage. The talks will dive into the nuts and bolts of how the postal sector is turning over a new leaf in light of global trends and digital shake-ups.
The agenda includes topical topics such as the growing role of e-commerce in postal networks, digital transformation, the implementation of sustainable logistics practices, and the increasing importance of cybersecurity to maintain trust and security in postal operations.
The forum will facilitate dialogue between industry leaders and stakeholders, thereby fostering the development of forward-looking strategies and innovative solutions that meet the changing needs of customers and businesses. At the same time, the event will reaffirm the UPU’s commitment to promoting regional development and strengthening international postal cooperation.
Mutua Muthusi, Director for Development and Cooperation at the Universal Postal Union (UPU), highlighted the organization's commitment to supporting the digital transformation of postal services in developing countries.
“Our core mission is to assist countries and postal administrations whose services have yet to meet international standards in reaching that benchmark. In doing so, we contribute to the overall strengthening of the global postal network,” he stated.
He noted that UPU’s support spans a wide range of areas—from the provision of technical equipment to the advancement of human capital.
“We organize high-level training programs, and this forum is a prime example of such initiatives. These efforts not only enhance the expertise of professionals in the sector but also foster a valuable platform for knowledge and experience sharing among postal leaders,” Muthusi added.
Muthusi expressed confidence that international forums like this play a vital role in shaping resilient and technologically advanced postal systems around the world.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Samir Mammadov, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to contributing to the development of the global postal sector and underscored its readiness to expand international cooperation in this field.
He announced that Azerbaijan has formally submitted its candidacy for the Board of Governors and the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The elections for these governing bodies are scheduled to take place during the 28th UPU Congress, set to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from September 7 through 19, 2025.
“Azerbaijan is interested in contributing to the implementation of key initiatives aimed at ensuring the efficient functioning of the postal sector. We strive for cooperation with international partners to strengthen global postal networks and increase universal service standards,” Mammadov stated.
The Deputy Minister also emphasized the significance of the issues addressed in the forum’s agenda:
“E-commerce, innovations, logistics, and digital transformation – these are key priorities for the advancement of today’s postal sector,” he said.
Discussing Azerbaijan’s strategic outlook, Mammadov underscored the central role of global collaboration:
“We attach special importance to international cooperation, both in bilateral and multilateral formats. We would like to particularly highlight the vital role of the Universal Postal Union in promoting effective, inclusive, and sustainable global postal services,” he said.
Mammadov also spoke about Azerbaijan's longstanding engagement with the Universal Postal Union (UPU):
"Azerbaijan has been a member of the Universal Postal Union since 1993. Currently, our national postal operator, Azerpost, collaborates with 173 countries worldwide, conducting joint operations on registered mail with 126 of them,” the official added.
Marjan Oswald, Deputy Director General of the International Bureau of the UPU, emphasized that e-commerce represents the infrastructure of the future and plays a critical role in boosting national GDP.
Speaking on the broader outlook for the postal industry, Oswald highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between governments and postal operators.
"There are tremendous opportunities in the field of e-commerce. However, it is not merely a public service—it is a strategic sector that can significantly enhance a country’s gross domestic product," he stated.
The official added that the development of postal communications should be seen not just as a component of infrastructure, but as a vital economic engine—particularly in the era of digital transformation.