The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Jeane Nikolai and Postmaster General Samuel Brangman, is representing Bermuda at the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) 28th Universal Postal Congress (the Congress), the premier global gathering for postal services, regulators, and government officials.
The UPU, a specialised United Nations agency, is the world's largest logistics network. It sets international rules for postal services and fosters cooperation among its 192 member countries. In addition to representing Bermuda, the Postmaster General is attending in his capacity as Secretary General of the Caribbean Postal Union, a role he assumed in 2024.
The Congress, held every four years, is focused on the rapidly changing global postal landscape. With traditional letter mail in decline and e-commerce and parcel delivery surging, postal networks worldwide are working to modernise operations, embrace new technologies, and meet rising customer expectations for speed, transparency, and reliability.
Bermuda is participating in the Universal Postal Congress to ensure our voice is heard in the critical discussions shaping the future of postal services. Our delegation is contributing directly to the sessions most relevant to Bermuda and our people.
Plenary sessions have centred on several key themes:
-
Digital Transformation: Leveraging technologies such as AI and automation to improve efficiency and enhance tracking.
-
Operational Challenges: Managing rising parcel volumes, last-mile delivery, and high transport costs.
-
Sustainability: Promoting eco-friendly practices and reducing carbon footprints across postal networks.
-
International Cooperation: Strengthening secure, seamless cross-border mail and parcel exchanges.
-
Expanding Financial Inclusion: Learning from global best practices such as The Gambia’s landmark agreement to provide digital wallets accessible on any phone—even without internet access.
-
De Minimis Thresholds: Exploring operational solutions to offset the impact of the recent U.S. suspension of duty-free allowances.
As part of the visit, the delegation also met with representatives from the Dubai Government Accelerators Centre — Mr. Abdulla AlJarwan, Deputy Director, International Strategic Accelerators; Dr. Radheya AlHashmi, Executive Director; and Ms. Dalal AlHai, Senior Projects Manager, International Strategic Accelerators. Discussions focused on the success of the recently concluded 100-Day Accelerator programmes in Bermuda, highlighting the hurdles faced in delivering government initiatives and the innovative solutions developed. Both sides agreed to explore additional ways to apply Dubai's proven methodologies to support the continued digitalisation of Bermuda's Government.
The delegation also briefly met with Alex Williams, Deputy Director at the UK Department for Business and Trade. As Bermuda is an Overseas Territory, Mr. Williams holds voting rights at the Congress on Bermuda's behalf, and discussions reaffirmed the importance of this partnership in representing Bermuda's postal interests on the global stage.
Minister Rabain underscored the importance of Bermuda’s participation, “Attending this Congress ensures Bermuda remains aligned with international standards and best practices. The insights and connections gained here are vital to modernising our postal network, strengthening sustainability, and ensuring our services remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly digitalising world."
The Bermuda delegation's attendance reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring that the island's postal services continue to evolve to meet the needs of citizens and businesses in an interconnected global economy.