On  World Post Day, October 9, Barbados received the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) “Rising Star In Postal Development” Award.

The award was presented during the UPU’s 150th anniversary event, in Berne, Switzerland.

The organisation, founded in 1874, is a United Nations specialised agency with its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. It is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players and helps to ensure a universal network of modern postal products and services.

Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other International Organizations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson, accepted the award.

“On behalf of the Government of Barbados and the Barbados Postal Service, I am incredibly honoured to receive the award of the 2024 ‘Rising Star in Postal Development Award’, and we are humbled to be a winner from among more than 100 countries across the globe,” Ambassador Wilson stated.

He noted that the role of postal services over the years had been pivotal in providing seamless communication to businesses and loved ones, locally, regionally, and internationally.

UPU’s Director General, Masahiko Metoki, also emphasised the critical role of postal services in today’s interconnected world.

He stated: “Postal services are more than delivery systems – they are channels for commerce, pillars of infrastructure, and catalysts for socio-economic development.  To all award recipients and postal workers across the globe: your dedication connects communities, empowers businesses, and unites the world.”

Mr. Wilson credited the “dedicated and experienced” team in the BPS’ International Postal Affairs Unit for their work, especially over the last year. 

He noted that the BPS purchased upgraded scanning equipment, which allowed for the successful renewal of a service agreement with American Airlines.  As a result, the BPS was in a position to resume mail services to all Latin and South American countries. 

“As one of the indices for this award is postal reach, this was a critical tactic for the organisation and undoubtedly proved fortuitous in contributing to gaining this award. The International Postal Affairs and Business Development teams are an outstanding example of postal pride in the work they were undertaking and the obvious results that may have translated into Barbados receiving this award,” the Ambassador indicated.

He also shared that the BPS expanded its European reach and with the additional service in the Caribbean with Caribbean Airlines and particularly Virgin Atlantic, the service to some Caribbean countries increased as well. At present, the organisation is also working with interCaribbean Airways to improve capacity to additional islands, and is also seeking to liaise with the newest iteration of LIAT.

Mr. Wilson said the award was also given based on the efficiency of BPS’ inbound Express Mail Service delivery and its ability to maintain its resilience, that is, the postal capacity to overcome economic, social, technological, and environmental shocks sustainably.

Barbados has 17 post offices and customers may visit them to conduct business, from posting mail items to paying their utility bills to changing their pension cheques and welfare grants. 

The BPS also provides other third-party agency services, such as the collection of school fees, Barbados Association of Retired Persons’ membership fees, and Student Revolving Loan Fund payments, and it delivers passports and other documents, on behalf of the Immigration Department.  Drivers’ licences are also delivered to residents. 

Each year on October 9, designated postal operators around the world come together to commemorate the founding of the Universal Postal Union. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson, accepting the award from the UPU Director General, Masshiko Metoki.