Qatar Participates in Extraordinary Congress of Universal Postal Union in Ethiopia

Doha, September 02 (QNA) - A high-level delegation from the State of Qatar, headed by President of the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai, is participating in the 2nd Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), being held from September 3 to 7, 2018 at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 2nd Extraordinary Congress is being convened as part of ongoing efforts to reform the UPU, with a view to improving and speeding up decision-making processes within the organization. An Extraordinary Congress may be convened at the request, or with the consent of at least two-thirds of the member countries of the UPU. The CRA attendance of the Congress is line with CRAs mandate to regulate the postal sector to support the growth of a knowledge economy and improve customer transparency and protection. A key highlight will be CRAs participation in the Ministerial Strategy Conference, which will be held on the sidelines of the Congress on September 6 and 7, under the theme of "Gearing up the postal sector to drive socio-economic development". The conference will be an opportunity to consider the policies, investments, regulations and partnerships to ensure that the postal entities can unleash their potential in service delivery and profitability. "CRA is in the process of finalizing the regulation for the postal sector in Qatar, and the participation in the UPU Congress is an international platform for CRA to enhance our cooperation with other regulators and industry leaders. The postal sector globally is undergoing structural changes and CRA needs to be aware of these changes so that we can develop future proof regulation that encourages the growth of the sector locally," said H.E. Al-Mannai. Speakers at the conference will include ministers, chiefs of regulatory authorities, heads of intergovernmental agencies and other high-level representatives of organizations interested in the benefits that postal services can bring to societies and economies worldwide. Key discussion topics include the implementation of the Integrated Product Plan and the Integrated Remuneration Plan and the sustainability of the Unions Provident Scheme. (QNA)