Address by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Dr Marina Ioannou Hasapi at the “Cyprus Postal Week”

From:

Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works

26/06/25 12:24 | Speech / Address | Transport, Communications and Works

It is my distinct honour to welcome you to Cyprus and to the Cyprus Postal Week. We are here to discuss and prepare for the 28^th Universal Postal Congress, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from the 8^th to the 19^th of September 2025.

First, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the International Bureau and to Mr Mario Gonzalez-Mondial who has travelled to Cyprus to share his invaluable expertise, regarding the complex proceedings of the Congress.

In recent years, the postal sector has undergone profound transformations, characterised by a marked decline in letter mail volume, and a significant increase in e-commerce and parcel deliveries. E-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Shein and Temu have introduced models of delivery, which have impacted traditional postal operations and deliveries. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is likewise evolving and adapting to these changes. These developments, among many others, will be comprehensively addressed at the forthcoming Dubai Congress.

Despite these fundamental shifts, postal operators offer a safe and reliable way of communication for thousands of people and businesses that choose to send and receive items through e-commerce. Furthermore, postal operators continue to provide essential services to persons with visual impairments, residents of remote areas, and other vulnerable groups of population. The social role of postal operators is undoubtedly one of the pillars of contemporary society.

In response to these changes, the European Union, in May, proposed the adoption of the EU Delivery Act, which will reform the EU postal regulatory framework. The EU Delivery Act will prioritise delivery as a service, ensuring that all citizens and businesses across the Union have access to affordable and reliable delivery services, while fostering fair competition within delivery markets and enhancing consumer protection. This Act will supersede the Postal Services Directive and the Cross-border Parcels Regulation.

The Republic of Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2026, and will closely follow the reform of the postal sector, facilitating all necessary actions. Cyprus will also participate in the Dubai Congress, and we are here to prepare collaboratively with our European counterparts.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

We stand at a critical juncture for the postal services sector. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, as the competent authority responsible for policy formulation, is fully committed to engaging with all stakeholders and making informed decisions to ensure the sector’s sustainability and advancement. The challenges confronting the sector today also present significant opportunities for innovation and growth, with an unwavering focus on addressing the needs of citizens.

To conclude, I wish you a productive and successful meeting, as well as an enjoyable stay in Cyprus. I would also like to extend my profound appreciation to the Communications Commissioner, Mr George Michaelides, for graciously hosting the Cyprus Postal Week at the facilities of the ICT Academy.

I look forward to welcoming you all this evening at the dinner hosted by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.

Thank you for your attention.

(SuP/NZ/AS)

Address by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Dr Marina Ioannou Hasapi at the “Cyprus Postal Week”

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