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.
2024 theme: 150 years of
enabling communication and empowering peoples across nation
In 2024, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) celebrates its 150th anniversary.
With the theme “150 years of enabling communication and empowering
peoples across nations,” this year’s World Post Day recognizes the UPU’s
longstanding achievements and reinforces its commitment to serve all peoples
for the decades and centuries to come.
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.
