Universal Postal Union (UPU)

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a specialised agency of the United Nations since 1948, and is the body governing international postal services. It has approximately 190 members. Ireland became a member in 1923.

The basic Act of the UPU is its Constitution, adopted in 1964. Amendments to the Constitution can only be made at the Congress (the supreme body of the UPU), by means of additional Protocols. Seven Protocols were adopted in 1969, 1974, 1978, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004. The next Congress is due to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2008.

There are three Acts of the UPU which are binding on all its members. These are the Constitution, General Regulations and the Universal Postal Convention (parcel provisions incorporated in the latter at the 1999 Congress).

Membership of the UPU involves an obligation to pay a contribution towards that body.