Australia is a country of contrasts, with a population of 26 million people spread across over 7 million square kilometres. We support an international postal service that is innovative, inclusive, integrated and sustainable and we are committed to supporting the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) to reach these goals. Australia's work in the UPU and APPU, as well as to help build capacity in our region, helps ensure that no matter where our citizens are in Australia, they are connected to the global postal network.
Universal Postal Union
Together with Australia Post, we represent Australia at the UPU, the United Nations (UN) organisation that sets the rules and standards for the exchange of international mail between its 192 member countries. Australia recognises the importance of the UPU's international mail network in supporting businesses and keeping us connected with our friends and families.
Our work in the UPU spans the global postal network, including its operations and development. Australia is proud to be a member of both the UPU's governing councils, the Postal Operations Council (POC) and Council of Administration (CA), for the 2026–2029 term. We look forward to working with all member countries and the UPU International Bureau throughout the Dubai Cycle to implement the UPU's Strategy for 2026–2029 and its associated roadmap, the Dubai Business Plan. These documents describe the shared vision of the UPU's member countries for a seamless and innovative postal network supporting an interconnected, inclusive society.
The UPU's network of postal operators in 192 countries has huge potential to help support the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on gender and climate. Australia champions gender equality at the UPU and is pleased to support a Junior Professional Officer position to help drive gender equality and representation at the UPU and across all postal operators.
Asian-Pacific Postal Union
In the Asia-Pacific, Australia assists the development of postal services through the APPU, which facilitates cooperation within the region. Australia has led the APPU's Reform Working Group since 2022, working collaboratively with other member countries to update the APPU's treaties to ensure they're fit-for-purpose and set the APPU up for continued success.
In the Pacific, Australia has also assisted the development of postal services through the Pacific Postal Development Partnership. We're delighted to have worked together with 9 Pacific postal operators to share information and to update their equipment to increase their operational efficiencies.
Australia supported postal leaders from the Pacific to attend critical postal meetings, including supporting Tonga Post to attend UPU Councils in 2023, Tuvalu Post to attend APPU Executive Council in 2023 and Samoa Post to attend UPU Councils in 2024.
Please contact us via email if you are interested in learning more about Australia's work on international post.