Universal Postal Union
The Universal Postal Union (UPU, French: Union
postale universelle) is an international organization that coordinates postal policies between
member nations, and hence the world-wide postal
system. Each member
country agrees to the same set of terms for conducting international postal
duties. Universal Postal Union's headquarters are located in Berne.
Prior to the establishment of the UPU, a
country had to conclude a separate postal treaty with each other country that
it wished to carry international mail to or from. The United
States called for an
international postal congress, which was held in 1863. This led Heinrich von Stephan, German Minister for Posts, to found the
Universal Postal Union, the second oldest international organization (after the
ITU). It was created in 1874, under the name "General Postal Union", as a result of the Treaty of Berne
signed on 9 October 1874. In 1878, the name was changed to
"Universal Postal Union".
The UPU established that (1) there should be a more or
less uniform flat rate to mail a letter anywhere in the world; (2) postal
authorities should give equal treatment to foreign and domestic mail; and (3)
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