Kenya has formally kicked off its campaign seeking a second term at the top seat in one of the specialized United Nations (UN) agency dealing with the postal sector.
Last Friday Kenya hosted a reception for diplomats accredited to Switzerland and the UN and other international organizations in Geneva to announce its candidature for the position of Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and to lobby for support for Kenya’s candidate. Kenya’s Amb. Bishar Hussein has been the UPU Director General for the past four years and is gunning for second term in elections set for September this year.
The reception was held at Intercontinental Hotel Geneva and presided over by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohammed. Over 100 diplomats based in Geneva attended it.
The Cabinet Secretary hailed Amb. Hussein’s sterling performance at the UPU, saying he had virtually fulfilled all targets set for him on assuming office four years ago.
‘‘Within a span of three and a half years, Amb. Hussein and his team have made remarkable progress in attaining virtually all the milestones of the Doha Postal Strategy, as well as the Doha Congress decisions and resolutions,’’ said Amb.Amina. She also thanked the international community for the support extended towards Amb. Hussein during his tenure.
Under Amb. Hussein’s stewardship, the UPU has undertaken reforms in its secretariat, which have resulted in enhanced efficiency, transparency as well as regional and gender balance of its international staff.
Amb. Amina said Kenya’s candidate had already secured support of the 54-member countries of the African Union following his endorsement by the AU Heads of State summit held in January 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru said the UPU is continuously re-invigorating the postal sector to take advantage of emerging technologies as well as respond to prevailing threats such as terrorism.
‘‘The current leadership of the UPU has scaled up its stakeholder management for better coordination between postal utilities, custom administrations, airlines, law enforcement agencies and relevant international organizations,’’ said Mr.Mucheru.
Kenya has also showed interest in vying for membership in the UPU Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council, which are key organs of the UN specialized agency..
Amb. Hussein was elected to the position of Director General of the UPU in 2012, becoming the first ever African to head the UPU since its establishment 1874. Prior to his election, Amb. Hussein had chaired the UPU Council of Administration between 2008-2012.
UPU elections are scheduled to take place in September during the 26th UPU Congress in Istanbul, Turkey.
