CS Amina rallies UPU Member Countries to Kenya Candidature

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amin Mohammed on Tuesday rallied Universal Postal Union member countries to vote for Amb. Bishar Hussein for a second-for year term as Director General of the Switzerland-based global body.

Speaking during a luncheon hosted for delegates attending the 26^th UPU Congress 2016 in Istanbul, CS Amina said Kenya believes the experience Amb. Hussein had acquired as Director-General of the UPU over the last four years will be useful in navigating the UPU successfully into the future.

“We are requesting for your support for another mandate for Amb. Hussein. Under his leadership the International Bureau of the UPU has delivered over 98 percent of the Doha Postal Strategic objectives and has been a great advocate and spokesman for the UPU and under his watch the organization is more visible and successful.

The CS said Kenya was also seeking support for its candidatures in the UPU Council of Administration and in the Postal Operations Council.

“I am pleased to inform you that all these positions enjoy the full support and endorsement of the Heads of State and Government Summit of the African Union. We are keen to continue participating actively in UPU affairs including in shaping its future direction, said CS Amina.

Saying Kenya was a strong believer in multilateralism and cooperation as critical ingredients for the promotion of international peace, prosperity and security, CS Amina said the country had a long-standing tradition of engagement at the global arena.

“Kenya is a committed member of the International Community and the United Nations family and an active participant in the affairs of the various UN agencies, and other inter-governmental bodies at the sub-regional and regional levels,” said CS Amina.

Within the context of the postal and the wider ICT sector, Kenya has a long history of participation in the affairs of the two oldest UN agencies; the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This engagement, CS Amina says, is inspired by the government’s belief and commitment to the ideals of the UPU and the ITU.

Commitment in the activities of these two bodies has played a significant role in transforming Kenya’s ICT landscape into one of the most vibrant and innovative in the region and the world at large. The success of Kenya’s postal and ICT sector is a clear manifestation of the important role that UPU continues to play in improving the quality of the international postal network.

She added that Kenya will continue to be involved in the efforts that the UPU is undertaking to improve its efficiency, modernize the postal product portfolio, and improve the supply chain management.

Present during the luncheon was Information, Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru, Principal Secretary, Broadcasting and Telecommunication  Sammy Itemere, Kenya’s ambassador to Turkey, Kiema Kilonzo, Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) Director General Francis Wangusi, and Chairman of UPU Congress Kenan Bozgeyik among others.

The UPU Congress brings together representatives of governments, designated operators, regulators and restricted unions of UPU member countries, as well as heads of UN and other international organizations.