World Post Day was established by the resolution(UPU/1969/Res.C.11) Celebrated on 9 October, the day marks the founding of the Universal Postal Union in 1874. Every year, more than 150 countries mark the day in a variety of ways. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. In 2015 countries all over the world committed themselves to working together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end extreme poverty and hunger, fight inequality and injustice, and take action to reverse climate change - to name just some of these 17 agreed new Goals. Playing its part in this global effort, the Post today has a more relevant role than ever by providing infrastructure for development.

FORUM: World Post Day 2020. "The COVID-19 crisis and the Postal sector.''

The COVID-19 crisis has put pressure on international postal supply chains to an unprecedented degree. Given the criticality of postal services for the basic functioning of most economies, the report presents three near-future scenarios for the sector, in order to provide policymakers and postal operators with insights and suggestions on the way forward.

For the very first time, the celebrations for World Post Day will be held virtually.. The World Post Day 2020 ceremony begins at 10:30 am and ends at 12:30 pm CET on 9 October 2020.

EVENTS: Many Posts use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. Open days are held as are flag-raising ceremonies. Some Posts also use World Post Day to reward their employees for good service.

COMPETITIONS: Letter-Writing Competition winner honoured in Berne; Sarah Jadid from Lebanon, the winner of the 44th UPU International Letter-Writing Competition, was in Berne at the Universal Postal Union to receive her prize from the Director General Bishar A. Hussein. For countries participating in the UPU International Letter-writing Competition for children, national winners are often honoured on 9 October.

Statement from the U.N. Secretary General on World Post Day 2020, October 9th.

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives, testing us all.

Throughout these difficult times, I have found inspiration in the essential workers who have kept our communities and societies running smoothly in extremely difficult circumstances.

I offer my sincere thanks to the world’s postal workers who have continued to deliver during days of trial and challenge.

These workers have risked much, and they have delivered more than mail.

Postal workers have launched innovative community services, tending to older people

and those who are socially isolated. They have delivered life-saving medicines and equipment, and helped ensure that food parcels and funds reach those in need. Their dedication, innovation and creativity has undoubtedly helped save lives.

On World Post Day, I thank postal workers and postal operators for your efforts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations will continue to build on our partnership with you and the Universal Postal Union in our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

António Guterres

Statement from the UPU Director-General on World Post Day 2020, October 9th.

"More than mail"

We all need to recognize the incredible sacrifices made by postal operators and their staff during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Deemed essential staff as the pandemic raged furiously across the world, these postal workers labored hard to deliver the mail.

Some workers tragically lost their lives; others confronted life-changing damage to their health.

Many more suffered in numerous other ways.

I salute the bravery and dedication of the millions of postal workers who continued to deliver when faced with global disruption.

You have made this industry and the world proud—I stand in awe of your many achievements.

Through airline stoppages, border closures, outbreaks in sorting offices and elsewhere, the mail was kept moving.

When obstacles barred the way, new routes were forged. Trains and boats replaced passenger planes; postal operators designed new ways of working, new ways of delivering.

Huge logistical chains transcending national borders and continents—covering vast distances—were altered within days and weeks.

Innovation and creativity were the hallmarks of this new period and the drivers of fresh ways of providing social and financial services to customers.

Thanks to the post, the old, isolated and infirm were assisted; life-saving medicines delivered; protective equipment provided; and essential financial services maintained.

The Universal Postal Union also stepped up by providing much needed analysis, partnerships and innovation to our member countries.

Despite the many challenges, we have collectively upheld our duty to the universal service obligation calling for postal deliveries to everyone on this planet, no matter their location.

World Post Day is a fitting day to pay tribute to our member countries, postal operators, postal workers and everyone else involved in delivering the mail.

Since our earliest beginnings, we have overcome wars, natural disasters and pestilence.

We have always delivered.

The year 2020, however, was the year that the postal industry showed the world its resilience, its determination, and the invaluable role it plays in every society.

We showed we are more than mail.