Global governance

ICC statement on US announcement on Universal Postal Union

  • 18 October 2018

ICC has issued the following statement in response to the US Administration’s announcement that it has served notice to withdraw from international postal rate system.

The International Chamber of Commerce – the world’s largest business organization representing over 45 million companies worldwide – has issued the following statement in response to the US Administration’s announcement that it has served notice to withdraw from international postal rate system.

Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:

“The global postal system plays a central role in enabling global trade flows – more so now than ever with the growth of e-commerce. We are therefore naturally concerned by any potential fragmentation of the Universal Postal Union system. Being able to make last-mile shipments to consumers efficiently is vital to support the growth of e-commerce, which has tremendous potential to make world trade more inclusive. 

“That said, the US administration’s decision to serve notice on a possible UPU withdrawal highlights the importance of ensuring that global governance systems are modernised in line with the realities of today’s economy. There is, quite clearly, an urgent need to update the international postal rate system to address inefficiencies that have been amplified by the growth of e-commerce. We urge all governments to engage constructively in the months ahead to agree on reforms to the relevant UPU instruments to provide a level playing-field for all  businesses and enhance the security and integrity of the global postal delivery system. Business is ready to play its full part in informing any such process.”