Barbados joined the Postal Union (the predecessor of today’s Universal Postal Union or UPU) in 1881, which makes the island one of the Organisation’s longest serving members.

However, when Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 30th 1966, the island assumed responsibility for its international postal affairs, which were previously the responsibility of the United Kingdom. This new status also meant that Barbados was admitted to the United Nations, thus becoming eligible for full membership of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), as a new entity.

The UPU is a non-political organisation that serves as the primary forum for co-operation between postal services around the globe. With a mission to develop social, cultural and commercial communication between people through the efficient operation of the postal service, the UPU plays an important role in promoting the continued revitalisation of postal services.

One of the Organisation’s functions is to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

The UPU also fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and renders technical assistance as needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail volumes and to improve the quality of service to customers.

Barbados is so esteemed at the highest decision-making level of international postal affairs that the island now serves on the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) Council of Administration, one of its very influential bodies, and the one which ensures the continuity of the work of the UPU between Congresses.

Since the 22nd Universal Postal Union’s Congress in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Barbados has been serving as the Vice Chairman of the Council of Administration (CA).

This Council supervises the activities of the UPU and studies regulatory, administrative, legislative and legal issues. It comprises 41 member countries and meets annually at the Headquarters of the UPU in Berne.

To ensure that the UPU is able to react quickly to changes in the postal environment, the CA has the power to approve proposals by the Postal Operations Council (the UPU’s technical and operational body) for the adoption of regulations or new procedures between Congresses.

During its tenure on the Council, Barbados has played an integral part in the process of reforming postal administrations.