Post Fiji welcomes the Director General of the Universal Postal Union
Universal Postal Union, Director General, Excellency Masahiko Metoki, Excellencies, Post Fiji Chair, Isireli Leweniqila and Board Members, Chief Executive Officer, Post Fiji, Dr. Anirudha Bansod, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula Vinaka! On behalf of the Government and people of Fiji, I would like to congratulate you, Excellency Masahiko Metoki on your appointment as the Director General of the Universal Postal Union.
I understand you are the second DirectorGeneral of the Union to visit Fiji, so welcome to our home.
Capitalising on Hub Status
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fiji is the hub of the Pacific. We are the hub of transport, hub of trade, hub of tourism and the hub of development. And we will continue to advance our strategic positioning for the betterment of the Pacific peoples.
Earlier this month, Cabinet endorsed critical decisions that will support not only Fiji, but the entire Pacific. One, we will be hosting the International Maritime Organisation Regional Office for the Pacific. Two, International Civil Aviation
Organisation Liaison Officer for Pacific Small Island Developing States. And three, the establishment of the Universal Postal Union’s Sub-regional Office here in Suva. Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a region, our relationship has been stronger than ever. We have common challenges, common opportunities, and common goals - whilst being unique in many ways.
With the opening of the Universal Postal Union’s Sub-Regional office in Fiji - the first for the pacific - the Fiji Government anticipates greater technical support, including capacity building and development to postal operators in the Pacific Island Countries.
We also envisage that with the Sub-Regional Offices’ support, mail services delivery in the Pacific would improve and boost customer confidence and trust in the postal sector.
Postal Market
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Postal Service is many things-among them, a public service, part of a nation’s critical infrastructure and an essential service to its citizens. Beyond that, it’s a social service that connects families and friends. This was the case for decades, But like many other sectors, the impacts of globalization and the changing digital landscape are fast increasing.
But that’s not all that’s impacting postal services. recall late last year, Dr. Bansod shared at a UPU workshop in Nadi that postal operations must diversify in order to survive.
The pandemic, exacerbated by supply chain disruptions too, has fueled its slow
down. So, it’s clear, the sustainability of such essential services depends on additional investment and a major focus on optimization. So postal operators need to drive innovation to ensure they remain relevant and viable in the market.
So, there is an imperative need to collectively arrive at a digital state of readiness for e-commerce assessment and seek ways to be more inclusive.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the new UPU Sub-Regional office in our part of the world, I am confident this will be a steppingstone for the Pacific market. I am also pleased to learn that the Director-General will be opening the “Flexible Supply Chain and Mail Transport
Network” project meeting for Pacific Postal Operators while here. And this is aimed at strengthening collaboration between airlines and postal operators to improve international mail services in the Pacific. Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today is a momentous occasion. I want to thank everyone who has played a part in making today possible. I take this opportunity to show our appreciation to the Universal Postal Union, and to you, Excellency Metoki.
There is much to be achieved for the benefit of the Pacific. On behalf of the Government, we offer our assurance to ensure we maximise on this milestone.
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu.