Caribbean Postal Union

The twelve Conference of the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU) was held from May 5 - 7, 2008 in Aruba. The theme of the Conference was:

This theme follows the 11th CPU Conference of 2007 on the Harmonization of the Post in the Caribbean. The areas of forcus are as follows:

1. Conference endorsed the comments of workshops on Caribbean Postal Strategies, and agreed that in implementing the strategies:

• Focus should be on creating Ministerial commitment to
– Establishing postal law
– Regulatory framework
– Operational strategy

• Recognize that Governments must have a reason to create change
• There must be a commitment to autonomy and to continuous reform.

– Recognize that there will be different approaches
– UPU/CPU will commit to supporting management development and training creating context for change.
– Postal operators must have appropriate leadership skills/power of negotiation.

• PMGs/CEOs have a primary mission, geared towards quality and outputs, and not so much on operational modalities.
• Establish Caucus of Ministers with Chairman for one year.
• Appoint CPU “Ambassador” to ‘sell’ ideas to individual ministers.

2. Conference endorsed in principle a proposal for an increase in the annual contribution by member states.

i. Trinidad and Tobago by St Vincent and seconded by St Lucia.
ii. USA on motion by the Bahamas and seconded by the Netherlands Antilles.
iii. The Bahamas on a motion by USA and seconded by St Lucia.
iv. Jamaica on a motion by St Lucia and seconded by Montserrat.
v. The Netherlands Antilles on a motion by Barbados and Seconded by Jamaica.
vi. France on a motion by Aruba and seconded by the Netherlands Antilles.
vii. Aruba on a motion by Jamaica and seconded by Trinidad.

The first meeting of the Caribbean Council of Ministers responsible for postal affairs of the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU), was held in Aruba from May 8 – 9 2008. After extensive deliberations and having met in plenary and caucus, the Council agreed on a futuristic strategic direction for the regional postal sector and approved the following priorities for immediate and sustained actions:

a) The formulation of a comprehensive sector policy that will facilitate the growth and development of the postal sector at the national and regional level
b) Reorganization of national legal and regulatory frameworks in conformity with the fundamental requirements of the global network
c) The establishment of administrative and operational standards, to ensure the provision of quality service throughout the regional postal network
d) The development of uniform basic organization structures for efficient and effective management of the postal business

The ministers having recognized the social and economic potential of Post have resolved to engage their national governments as well as other regional bodies to accelerate the agenda of postal reform.

The main objective of the strategy is to redirect the Caribbean Postal Sector towards the goal of harmonization of operating standards and policies with a view to strengthening the capacity of individual postal operators to meet the global challenges of increased competitiveness and the higher standards demanded by customers.

Throughout the meetings, particular emphasis was placed on, quality of service issues, particularly customer satisfaction, and opportunities to increase revenues.

The Ministers were in particular aware of other participants in the unregulated postal market, and reiterated their position that a viable postal service was imperative for the provision and delivery of social and welfare services, particularly for those citizens at the lower end of the socio-economic ladder.

The Ministers also paid attention to the dynamics of the global postal market and agreed that it is critical to have high level representation at the upcoming Universal Postal Union Congress to be held in Geneva in August 2008, to ensure the continued integration of the region in the global postal network.

Quick Access Documents
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	Member States
	CPU Convention
	Detailed Regulations
	CPU Event Agenda 2008

Links: Links to the websites of other CPU Member States.