New UPU leaders begin four-year mandate

New Director General Masahiko Metoki, from Japan, and Deputy Director General Marjan Osvald, from Slovenia, were honoured during a handover ceremony at the organization’s headquarters today.

Ambassadors and representatives from permanent missions to the UN office in Geneva gathered at the UPU’s International Bureau in Berne, Switzerland, today to witness the transfer of powers from the outgoing senior leadership to Director General Masahiko Metoki and Deputy Director General Marjan Osvald.
 
Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Metoki said, “Throughout my term, I will do everything possible to strengthen the ties that bind us closely together.”
 
Referring to the postal strategy guiding his term in office, the Director General added, “It sets out a vision of the Post as an essential engine for sustainable development and invites governments to do everything possible to reduce the gaps in postal development around the world … As Director General, I pledge that I will work in all sincerity with member countries to make this strategy successful.”
 
For his part, Mr Osvald said, “During my term in office, I encourage the responsible owners [of the Post] to define the role of the Post in their environment and to support its development. The Universal Postal Union will thus guide, coordinate and help members to enhance the quality and importance of postal services.”
 
Isaac Gnamba-Yao, who represents Côte d’Ivoire as Chair of the UPU’s Council of Administration, also presided over the ceremony. Welcoming the new leadership team, Mr Gnamba-Yao said, “All the member states have witnessed your commitment to continue the work of reforming the postal industry and to rise to the challenges that it faces, with the inclusion and participation of all member countries.”
 
Ahead of the ceremony, Mr Metoki and Mr Osvald were welcomed to the UPU headquarters by the former leadership team. They also met with local and international press for a question and answer session.
 
Mr Metoki and Mr Osvald officially began their respective mandates on 1 January 2022. They were elected by member countries during the UPU’s 27th Universal Postal Congress in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in August 2021.
 
Ahead of his election, Mr Metoki served as the Senior Vice President of International Affairs at Japan Post and represented Japan as Chair of the Postal Operations Council from 2012 until
2021. Mr Osvald previously served as Director of International Mail at Pošta Slovenije, but has also worked to coordinate developments across the sector through his involvement with PostEurop, the Postal Union for the Mediterranean and the International Post Corporation.
 
Read the Director General’s speech here.
Read the Deputy Director General’s speech here.
Download b-roll of the official welcome here.
 
***
The Universal Postal Union is a UN specialized agency with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne. Established in 1874, it is one of the world’s oldest international organizations and is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.
 
For further information, please contact:
 
David Dadge
Communication and Events Manager,
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Mobile: +41 76 457 36 54
E-mail: david.dadge[@]upu.int