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.
