The 22nd Congress of the Universal Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal (PUASP) has taken place in Havana, Cuba, running from 9-13 September 2013, The Portuguese delegation comprised representatives from ANACOM and CTT - Correios de Portugal (CTT).
The Congress is the highest body of the Union and meets every 4 years. The decisions of Congress included the results of the elections to the post of Secretary General (SG), who represents and directs the permanent structure that supports the SG, and to the Management Committee, a restricted body that depends on the Advisory and Executive Council (AEC). The Management Committee closely monitors the organization's management activities, supporting the AEC (which provides continuity in the period between congresses) and the SG.
Roberto Cavanna of Ecuador was elected Secretary General, for a 4-year term starting in January 2014 and succeeding Serrana Bassini Casco of Uruguay, who has led the Union for the last 8 years.
The following members were elected to the Management Committee (in descending order of votes received) Uruguay, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and the Dominican Republic. The countries receiving the largest and second largest number of votes assume, respectively, the first and second Vice-presidencies of the Management Committee, with Cuba taking over the Presidency of the body (as well as the AEC) as host and Chair of the Congress.
Other important issues addressed by Congress include the Union's finances, given the financial difficulties faced by its member countries (particularly the more developed countries and larger contributors to the budget), and the reorganization of work groups and other bodies that continue functions in the period between congresses. As such, the Congress is seeking to transform the Union's structure to make it a more efficient and responsive to developments in the global postal sector and, in particular, to sector developments in member countries.
The Congress also decided to accept an invitation from Venezuela to host the next Congress, which will take place in 2017 (venue and date to be determined).
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- UPAEP - Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=66805
