In the context of India’s presidency of the G20, the Department of Posts under Ministry of Communications organized a Roundtable Conference and Panel Discussion on the theme “Postal Services - a tool for Global Socio-Economic development and Connect”. The panel discussion, which was held in a hybrid format, was attended by dignitaries from the Universal Postal Union (UPU), Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU), Department of Posts, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Postal Operators and Ministries representing G20 member countries, invitee countries and members of the APPU along with other stakeholders from the Postal sector. The event was held as a part of India’s National Philatelic Exhibition: ‘AMRITPEX 2023’. A Specific G20 exhibit was also set up as a tool for bringing history, culture and accomplishment of countries together through stamps.

Roundtable Conference and Panel Discussion

 

The roundtable featured prominent speakers from the Postal sector and MEA:

1. Shri Vineet Pandey, Secretary (Department of Posts),
2. Shri Muktesh K. Pardeshi, Special Secretary, G20 Operations,
3. Mr. Marjan Osvald, Deputy Director General, Universal Postal Union,
4. Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh, Secretary General, Asian- Pacific Postal Union (APPU),
5. Ms. Mary P Anderson, Executive Director International Postal Affairs, United States Postal Services (USPS), USA,
6. Mr. Jean-Paul Forceville, Director, European  and International Relations, La Poste, France,
7. Dr. Anirudha Bansod, CEO, Post Fiji and
8. Shri Rajeev Venugopal, General Manager, International Relations, Canada Post.

 

Shri Vineet Pandey, Secretary to the Government of India and Chairperson, Postal Services Board made the opening remarks highlighting the theme of the G20 presidency of India, its intertwining with the UPU mission and the direction of G20 objectives.

Panelists shared their views, experiences & future outlook on various areas and sub-themes under the main theme of the roundtable and panel discussion.

Participants of Roundtable Conference and Panel Discussion

 

Postal Services as a soft and effective way to connect the world: Philately, Training and Capacity building

Shri Muktesh K. Pardeshi, Special Secretary (G20 Operations), MEA recapitulated the idea of philately not only being important to highlight people, history, cultures and accomplishments of different countries but also has huge potential of forming strong bonds of friendship. The other panelist Dr. Anirudh Bansod, CEO, Post Fiji emphasized the important role postal sector is playing  employing full time and part time employees and the need for capacity building in the ever changing techno-operational scenarios with institutional cooperation, tie-ups, funding support and for the postal operators in need around the world. Mr. Bansod also remarked about the flagship Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program being offered by the Government of India to other countries, not only in the postal sector but in others as well.

Supply chain and e-Commerce: A key enabler of global socio-economic transformation

The panel discussed the present-day physical, technological and financial developments that have opened immense opportunities to realize the true spirit of globalization through seamless cross-border supply of goods, robust payment solutions, integration of local with global markets, ensuring affordability of services, uniformity of standards and high-quality data exchange.

Ms. Mary Anderson, shared the transformation undergoing in USPS through various regulatory and operational reforms. Dr. Rajeev & Mr. Jean- Paul focused on the upcoming challenges and underlying opportunities for the postal sector and how this sector is helping increase trade and commerce across the globe.

The panel discussed important points on the need of redesigning & improving its global interconnections to adapt to such challenges and to accelerate economic and social development is of critical importance. The approach of G20 countries in this area can be highly instrumental in driving a resilient postal supply chain.

Digitalization of Posts: Empowering the Citizens

Dr. V.P. Singh discussed how the technological advances and digitalization of postal services have become the backbone of growth, reach & connectivity and ubiquitous postal services especially for those at the last mile and for the global south.

He emphasized that Post Offices offer an unparalleled network to bridge the digital divide and inclusive development in the digital economy. Having a digitally connected universal postal network would unleash new vistas of activities empowering the people. The support of G20 countries needed for fostering timely and meaningful achievement of such initiatives was elucidated.

Role of Postal sector in Financial Inclusion:

Mr. Osvald discussed the important part that post offices have been playing in providing financial services to its citizens. Postal Financial Services like banking, insurance, money transfer, and doorstep delivery of Government payments, financial literacy and adaptation to new FinTechs for hassle-free transactions is paving the way for an inclusive society and inclusive economy. The panel agreed that this process can further be accelerated by enabling regulatory regimes and conducive Government policies with the support of G20. Shri Vineet Pandey briefed on India Post’s achievement in financial inclusion through the unparalleled digital and physical network and its reach and contribution in financial literacy and financial inclusion.

The roundtable and panel discussion was graced by the presence of more than 20 countries and more than 150 international participants. Delegates from Australia, China, Germany, Italy, Japan and other stakeholders also contributed to the discussion. The participants from the posts of G20 invitee congratulated the Department of Posts for this initiative for highlighting the importance of the postal sector in the G20 arena.

The discussion ended with  the concluding remarks from Secretary (Posts) recollecting the critical role the postal sector is playing to drive socio - economic development around the world and how the sector can emerge as a one stop solution for services at citizen’s doorstep.

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RKJ/BK

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