Programme

Moderators

Claire Doole, Former BBC journalist and communications professional

Michel Cerutti, Journalist with TV5 Monde Switzerland

Marc Furrer, President of the Swiss Federal Communications Commission

10.30 - 11.30 Keynote Address: Setting the scene – SDGs, postal sector and the UPU

• Bishar A. Hussein, Secretary General, Universal Postal Union

Opening Remarks

• Kenan Bozgeyik, Chairman of the Board and Director General, Turkish PTT Corporation
• Bruno Nabagné Koné, Minister of Posts, ICTs and Communication, Côte d'Ivoire (Conference Co-Chair)
• Ahmet Arslan, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Turkey

11.30 - 12.45 Session 1: Fostering Development through Social and Financial Inclusion

Countries have placed inclusive development at the highest level of priority in their national policies towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The UPU and the postal sector can play an increasingly important role as natural partners to Governments in enabling inclusive development and poverty reduction. Public authorities can use the postal network to provide the full range of government services, from official documentation and addresses to health, education and social transfers. Speakers will share experiences and successes on how the postal networks can catalyse development for all.

• Mario Garcés, Vice Minister, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Spain
• Joe Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, Kenya
• Ismailov Rashid, Deputy Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications, Russian Federation
• Manoj Sinha, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Communications, Government of India 

12.45 - 14.00 Lunch hosted by Kenya

14.00 - 14.15 Highlights from the UPU World CEO Forum 2016 held in Paris, France

14.15 - 15.15 Session 2: Facilitating and Driving Trade

The global economy is opening up to allow businesses to engage in active domestic and international trade. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in particular, continue to face tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. This poses a critical challenge in responding to the demands of e-commerce. The Posts can help mitigate many of these hurdles through its integrated network, products and services, continued implementation of standards, and encouragement of SME participation. Governments have a unique role in leading the integration of all stakeholders in the trade facilitation ecosystem. Speakers will discuss and identify the ways and conditions under which posts can provide primary support to Governments in fostering, developing and facilitating trade.

• Adrian Ibarra, Vice Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, Ecuador
• Ma Junsheng, Director General, State Post Bureau, People’s Republic of China
• Afamasaga Lepuiai Rico Tupai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Samoa

15.15 - 15.30 Coffee break hosted by Bangladesh

15.30 - 16.45 Session 3: Unlocking the Potential of the Post in a Digital Economy

Unadapted governance, data security breaches and lack of universal access are some of the challenges that could hinder the growth of the digital economy. In a world moving into an innovative confluence requiring the joint efforts of both the postal and telecommunication sectors, is it time to reconsider the separation? If so, how can governments create winning synergies to foster digitalization and innovation? Speakers will also address the challenges in delivering the information society for all and will discuss how the posts can contribute to the national digital strategies.

• Aminata Sana Congo, Minister for Development of Digital Economy and Posts, Burkina Faso
• Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Republic of South Africa
• Philipp Metzger, State Secretary, Director General of the Federal Office of Communications, Switzerland
• Shigeki Suzuki, Vice Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

16.45 - 17.15 Coffee break hosted by Australia

17.15 - 18.30 Session 4: Posting the Future: A Global Coalition for Transformation

The international community has agreed on a sustainable development agenda to be achieved by 2030. In delivering this agenda, which encompasses all economic sectors and countries, the postal sector can be part of the solution. Fostering inclusive development, trade facilitation, and digital convergence are among the key contributions that the sector can bring. In this context, the responsibility of governments is in providing the necessary support, investment, and regulatory framework. International organizations, such as the UPU, also have an important role to play in this development agenda. But are they fit for purpose? Speakers will draw on the first three sessions to share their perspectives on anticipating and integrating changes in the sector that will impact citizens, businesses, governments and international organizations.

• Ahmet Arslan, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Turkey
• Dato' Jailani Johari, Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Malaysia
• Sergio Mujica, Deputy Secretary General, World Customs Organization
• Houlin Zhao, Secretary General, International Telecommunications Union

18.30 - 18.50 Closing Remarks

• Bruno Nabagné Koné, Minister of Posts, ICTs and Communication, Côte d'Ivoire (Conference Co-Chair)
• Bishar A. Hussein, Secretary General, Universal Postal Union

18.50 Dinner hosted by Turkey