SECRETARYGENERAL’S DESK

Greetings from the Asian-Pacific Postal Union!

As we move further into 2026, I am encouraged to see the work of the year is gradually taking shape. Across the region, planned activities are moving from preparation to implementation, and cooperation among members is increasingly translating into concrete actions reinforcing the collective strength and relevance of our Union.

While the postal sector may represent a modest share of overall economic activity, its enduring value lies in its role as a trusted public service and a vital connector of economies, businesses, and communities. In an era marked by rapid technological change and global uncertainty, this responsibility makes our continued focus on pragmatic collaboration, operational resilience, and steady institutional progress even more important.

Capacity building and knowledge exchange remain at the heart of APPU’s mandate. I am pleased to note that the Asian-Pacific Postal College (APPC) has successfully delivered its first two onsite courses of the year on EMS and Digital Financial Services, along with associated workshops. The College also had the privilege of hosting supervisory officials from Qatar Post for a customised workshop on Service Excellence in the Postal Sector, reflecting APPC’s growing role as a regional and interregional centre of excellence.

Our collaboration with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and other regional postal unions continues to deepen through technical exchanges and specialised programmes. This month, APPU hosted a UPU-led Global Advanced Expert Training Workshop on Disaster Risk Management, which witnessed strong participation from across the membership and beyond. I am also pleased to share that from 24 to 26 February, APPU will host the first Inter-regional Forum on Security as a Key Element for Postal Service in collaboration with the Postal Union for the Americas, Spain and Portugal (PUASP). Such initiatives not only enhance professional competencies but also strengthen the spirit of partnership and peer learning across regions.

I would also like to sincerely acknowledge the 18 designated postal operators that have already contributed responses to the Cross-Border E-commerce Project survey being implemented with support from the UPU Special Fund. The insights shared are extremely valuable in helping us better understand operational practices and challenges. I warmly encourage other members to participate, as broader engagement will significantly enrich the project’s outcomes and strengthen regionalcooperation in this critical growth area.